Anyone out there have no ambition in life?

[Toad_Passenger]

It sounds to me like you've never found your path. I know that I haven't and maybe I never will. I just go to work (in fairness I have a horrible job) and watch the clock wishing that I could do more. I'd love to give something back personally but figuring out how is hard.

I hope that you figure it out.

I like the way you put that about your "path." I've had this pull towards relaxation and holistic type things. Yoga, meditation, tai chi, etc. The problem is that while I've been reading and living the principles for most of my life, I've never really "practiced" the actual, physical parts of the "arts" so-to-speak for more than a few years. Definitely not enough to become a teacher, or involve myself in it with people who've done it their entire lives. So here I sit, watching the clock, ready to ride along in my rut tomorrow...again.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

I went to college and graduated with an accounting degree. I am the Corporate Accounting Manager at my company and I've been here almost 15 years. I have no desire to take the CPA exam or change the job I am doing. My company isn't very big. We have a President/CEO and a CFO and a few VPs. It's been mentioned before that if the CFO were to ever leave they wouldn't replace him since they'd really just need someone at the Controller level. I would be the one to move into that position but I don't really want it. Of course I would do it if they asked but that's not what I want.

Quote:
Originally Posted by okeydokey
Don't think of it as having no ambition. Think of it as being content with your life as it is.

Maybe this is true in my case .... I really do like my job and my life. I'm comfortable.

 

[MzDiz]

I'm on disability right now and will be for the rest of the summer. I have two surgeries coming up and neither of them will allow me to work during recovery time.

I'm in miserable pain and enjoying every minute of it.

I have a good job that pays well and I hate it. I changed my major in college three times before I dropped out. Fickle? I dunno... I hate this rat race. Hurry up and make money, pay half to the government, accumulate a good amount of debt, make other people stinking rich, then retire and die quickly please.

I had a small business for a while; that was the happiest I've ever been.

Sometimes I do feel like there's something wrong with me that I can't enjoy my assimilation like everyone else seems to. Trying to be a good, productive, responsible member of grown-up society blows.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Sometimes I do feel like there's something wrong with me that I can't enjoy my assimilation like everyone else seems to. Trying to be a good, productive, responsible member of grown-up society blows.

Respectfully snipped.

I think of that all the time. To quote Peter Gibbons in the classic Office Space:

I don't know why I can't just go to work and be happy, like
I'm supposed to like everybody else.

 

[CathrynRose]

Trying to be a good, productive, responsible member of grown-up society blows.

Cat, this brought tears to my eyes. My favorite book is the "Anne of Green Gables" series set in rural Canada in the early 1900s. People back then did a lot of what you mention, and just seem "happier". I've been laid off on and off the past few years and, honestly, LOVE being home! Thank you for putting what I feel into words.
Terri

I think for many people who, during this recession, had the "unfortunate" situation of being laid off, it turned into a very clarifying inner look at the real *you*. KWIM?

I'll be honest when I say that, as thrilled as I was to have found another job, a small part of me *sighed* and was kinda bummed at going back to the bump and grind of what is known as "the real world".

The Cat World was a much more fun place.

 

[klacey1]

Nah. I don't think it's that you're not ambitious, you just haven't figured out a passion. Nothing wrong with that. As long as you're supporting your family, there's nothing wrong with not feeling your career is EXACTLY WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED. Absolutely nothing.
I was extremely career driven until I met DBF-- all I thought about was doing what I had to do to get into my dream field. Now, I am in this field and love it, but he has shown me that there are MUCH more important things to life than just loving your job.

 

[mrsklamc]

Count me in. All I EVER wanted to be was a mom, but I wasted years of my life and a TON of $$$ on a college degree I never wanted because other people thought I was too 'smart' not to go to college. They thought having that stupid paper would make me feel better about myself somehow.

 

[castleview]

Right now I'm fulfilling the ambition of raising productive kids and I contribute heavily as a volunteer to my town's Parks & Rec departments. I enjoy these, but I'm also getting itchy to find what my next "career" will be...or I'm just tired of not having extra cash. I worked as a teacher, freelance writer and editorial assistant out of college. Believe it or not, the most enjoyable job was the home improvement company I temped for. It had nothing to do with my job goals, but I like houses. Anyhow, journalism is in an identity crisis right now and there's no way I can live that life at this point, nor do I want to. I'm sort of in the "why didn't I do that when I was 20?" phase of my life - why didn't I take that travel job with the low pay? Why didn't I join the military and serve? Why didn't I ignore my worries about science classes and go to nursing school? Why didn't I major in something practical? Why did I listen to my parents?" - Can you tell I've hit 40?

This thread has been great to read. I'm glad there are people out there that have been through this. My motto is that I'm still young at heart and as far as I'm concerned the sky is still the limit. When the littlest one is in school, I'll see what I fall into. I'll also remember to enjoy where I'm at in life. The kids are still the top priority, though. Maybe it's because I have divorced parents, but having a happy home life has always been my top goal.

 

[Deesknee]

Ironic that I just came across this thread today. Dh & I were at the wake of an elderly person, when one of our friends (in his late 40's) starting saying how he thinks constantly about what he still wants to do, or achieve in life.

I find that odd. I am in my late 40's and find that I have all I need in life. If I were to die tomorrow, the only thing I would feel I didn't accomplish, was to see my youngest into her adulthood. Would I like more? sure. I'd love to see my kids married, their kids, etc.

We have traveled very little. I have worked a grand total of 6 jobs in my life. One of which has lasted since 1986.

Life has thrown curve balls, but as far as things I can control, I am content.

As other posters have said, society makes us feel we should want for more.

If, however you question if you are depressed, I would suggest seeing a professional. Sometimes that can make a world of difference in your contentment.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Eh. I also have no ambition other than to be a wife and a mother. Unfortunately, neither has happened yet. I did attend college, but dropped out due to boredom (re-learning things I learned in the 6th grade).

I've been doing clerical work since high school and will probably continue doing that. The only job I've have that I truly enjoyed was working in a video store. Unfortunately, those are dying and you can't make decent money there either.

 

[Robinrs]

I'm curious as to the ages of those who feel like they have no ambition... or haven't achieved anything. I felt that way in my 30s, somewhat lost and flailing.

I consider myself a goal oriented person with a lot of drive. I wasn't always that way, though. It took me YEARS. I think I've always WANTED something, just didn't quite know what it was.

Right now I define myself by the people I make smile, those I've helped thru adversity and those who found a way thru whatever pain I suffered. It's important to be what you wanted to be, but who you touched along the way is much more important.

Career and family mean everything to me, but I've reached an age that even I know they are fleeting. We have to find ourselves WITHIN ourselves. Being blah's WIFE or blah's MOM can be here today and gone tomorrow. I know that all too well.

No matter who comes and goes in and out of your life, you have to know who YOU are. That's the only constant in your life.

 

[FireDancer]

I'm curious as to the ages of those who feel like they have no ambition... or haven't achieved anything. I felt that way in my 30s, somewhat lost and flailing.

I consider myself a goal oriented person with a lot of drive. I wasn't always that way, though. It took me YEARS. I think I've always WANTED something, just didn't quite know what it was.

Right now I define myself by the people I make smile, those I've helped thru adversity and those who found a way thru whatever pain I suffered. It's important to be what you wanted to be, but who you touched along the way is much more important.

Career and family mean everything to me, but I've reached an age that even I know they are fleeting. We have to find ourselves WITHIN ourselves. Being blah's WIFE or blah's MOM can be here today and gone tomorrow. I know that all too well.

No matter who comes and goes in and out of your life, you have to know who YOU are. That's the only constant in your life.

What is that saying? You can't love anyone until you love yourself? So true.