By Yvonne Kageha
On January 28, Anne T. Maghas, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and mentor, delivered a public lecture titled: Whose Ambition Is It Anyway? Courage, Fear & Freedom on a Non-Linear Path, where she discussed the trap of borrowed ambition and addressed the myths around ambition and challenged attendees to rethink ambition – not as something inherited or imposed, but as something intentionally defined. She asserted that borrowed ambition is exhausting and that it stems from society’s expectations or definition of success. The trap of borrowed ambition is born out of society’s burden that looks like a prize. It leaves one, at the end of their lives, wishing they had lived their own lives.
Borrowing from her own life experience and other inspiring examples in the world, Anne dismantled several myths that keep people trapped, beginning with the belief that more achievement will lead to fulfilment. She noted that there is a gap between achievement and fulfilment in that while life may appear successful on the outside, unfulfilled expectations can persist beneath the surface. Achievement does not lead to fulfillment, and it is only when one’s success is aligned with their values that they can bridge the gap between achievement and fulfillment.
The second myth is that success requires a linear path. This cannot be further from the truth. Success is built on detours and non-linear paths, and it is therefore crucial to embrace curiosity. Anne noted that starting over can be scary, but emphasized the importance of reflecting on what one truly wants and the kind of life one hopes to build. She urged the attendees to be ready to take action, even though they do not have any idea of what the future holds, because every detour is essential. “So, if you are on your detour, just know that you are not lost but you are learning, and you are looking for something unique, so embrace those detours,” she stated.
The last myth is that it’s too late to realign. She argued that it is never too late to start again, noting that the late Professor Wangari Maathai’s activism gained recognition when she was in her forties. “Every year you follow someone else’s ambitions is another year you’re not following your own,” said Anne. “It’s not too late, it’s urgent,” she concluded.
To address the issue of borrowed ambition, Anne discussed a framework that provides the necessary steps to take. First, recognize when you are carrying borrowed ambition. She highlighted that borrowed ambition does not look borrowed on the surface; it looks like an opportunity. So, to evaluate ambition, it’s important to ask yourself whose ambitions you’re fulfilling at the moment and have the humility to accept the answer. The second step, she explained, is rediscovering one’s values by focusing on one’s own real life because that is the source of one’s values. She emphasized that values come from the true self, not necessarily from experiences or external influences. Lastly, there is realigning one’s path. She explained that realignment can be both immediate and gradual, making it crucial to discern when the time is right to realign. She emphasized realignment should lead to purposeful use of time, where energy is renewed rather than drained. Realignment is a practice, not a one-off thing.
Anne concluded the lecture by stating that alignment will not get absolute or require one to compete with a machine, but rather, it is an anchor during shaky times. She urged attendees to stay steady even in the face of AI by utilizing it, but at the same time, not let it distract. “Ambition will take you far, but alignment will make the journey worth taking,” she said.
