When someone is content with their situation or where they are, it indicates that they are starting to settle. This occurs when a person is satisfied with their salary, job role, and other aspects of their profession.

There's nothing wrong with being content with one's current status, but according to Psychology Facts, the words "contentment" and "ambition" don't always go together.

The phrase "ambition" refers to a great desire and resolve to succeed. Meanwhile, different people have varied definitions of success. An ambitious person not only has a great desire to attain the goals they have set for themselves, but they are also willing to go to any length to do so.

There are, however, many who believe as Kevine Utuje, a senior university student, does. They feel that being overly ambitious causes one to become cold-hearted and unscrupulous because one's main motivation is their own accomplishment.

"I think one is both humble and hardworking if you want to call it that, or they are too arrogant and idealistic," Utuje said, adding, "They don't settle, nor are they grateful or appreciative of what they have because they are always looking forward to something better they may be fixating on."

Steven Ngoga, on the other hand, has a different viewpoint. "When driven by values, ambitious people's ambition shows a healthy self-esteem as well as a greater power of dreams and visualisation of the future," he said.

"Even if you don't achieve perfection, you may strive to excel," he continued. "Just because you aren't the most ambitious person on earth doesn't mean you have to settle for mediocrity or be afraid to take risks."

Settling for less

"What would you gladly wake up early in the morning to do if money were not an issue?"

This is a well-known question for career guidance, and instead of skipping over it, we should reread it again and respond thoroughly.

In order to feel fulfilled in life, one needs to create circumstances that allow one to do so. Otherwise, according to Psychology Facts, it could have major emotional and mental implications.

Being ambitious isn't just about money; it's also about having a feeling of purpose in life. Money may be abundant, but it will not suffice if one is not happy to earn it in a particular manner.

Another sign of settling for less is looking for a justification for why things are the way they are. This is said to be one of the most popular coping techniques. One may try to persuade themselves that things are progressing naturally in their employment until they wake up 20 years later and find themselves stuck in the same place with no indications of advancement.

People also prefer to console themselves with thoughts of 'that's how life is,' according to Ngoga, in order to escape their melancholy. "We are often bound by our beliefs that we can't have everything we want, so we settle for that low-paying job as long as it pays," he explained.

Being honest with yourself and letting go of excuses and justifications is one method to figure out what one truly desires.

When one does not have what they really want, they are frequently distracted by comparing their growth, payment, jobs, and so on to those of others. Complaining could be a coping method for others. Even when we try persistently to believe that we are content, feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction should not be ignored.

Tips to aim higher

Rather than focusing on others' accomplishments, one should concentrate on bettering one's own life and career. When one's only rival is oneself, goals become more feasible and self-accountability becomes easier.

Surrounding yourself with ambitious people that motivate and inspire you to believe in a better future and better outcomes. To encourage oneself, one should learn what behaviours and cognitive processes make them who they are.

This can be accomplished by seeking support through networking or finding a mentor. When searching for a mentor, look for someone who inspires you simply by being themselves.

Always be on the lookout for new challenges. Once one goal has been met, set a new one and work toward it. If you've landed your dream job, the next step is not to sleep on it. By gathering a wide range of experiences, one can constantly progress and improve oneself.

Embracing one's imagination. It's fine to be a little dreamy, cultivate positivity, to take risky risks, however cautiously.