Work, Ambition, and Identity

A struggle inward rather than upward or outward, a reorientation away from growth in an objective sense.

I’m working on becoming more aware, ultimately—just as good at noticing what’s always been here as what’s just arrived or hasn’t yet. No surprise I’m basically just describing mindfulness, one of the oldest human pursuits, increasingly urgent. So... See more

Despite having to peel myself away from work-based identity time and again, I still strongly believe that to do our best work — the most impactful work we’re capable of — it is healthy and necessary to associate a piece of our identity with our work.

For the entire history of our species, we have attached meaning to our role within our group. Hunte... See more

Instead of a commitment to "winning" other people's games, I felt a commitment to design a life that I deeply enjoy inhabiting 3. I saw how my ambition can be unleashed not just in work but as a husband, father, friend, gardener, writer, citizen, and whatever other components now make up my fluid and evolving identity. It's not that I didn't previo... See more