Jamie Reidy comments on a new study that reveals the downside to being ambitious.
As Shannon Chapla explains in the most recent University of Notre Dame alumni newsletter, Timothy Judge tracked 717 high-ability individuals over seven decades. The study will appear in the Journal of Applied Psychology.
The professor of management at ND’s Mendoza College of Business says go-getters might be let down by the results of their efforts:
“If ambition has its positive effects, and in terms of career success it certainly seems that it does, our study also suggests that it carries with it some cost,” Judge said. “Despite their many accomplishments, ambitious people are only slightly happier than their less-ambitious counterparts and they actually live somewhat shorter lives.”
Take that rubber tree ant! And Mark Zuckerberg! And Oprah! And President Obama!
My mom would think I contributed a lot of money to Professor Judge’s research.
Do you agree with this study’s findings?
Photo by: bark
Typing in my comment has worn me out. I’m gonna go take a(nother) nap.
For men, ‘ambition’ was part of the old model of masculinity–it advanced your career, making you a better provider and therefore more likely to attract a mate.
Since men no longer need to be providers, there’s far less need to be a driven, career-oriented ladder climber. It’s time to step back and focus on your own needs and interests, rather than chase the old goals that no longer offer the old rewards.
“Since men no longer need to be providers, there’s far less need to be a driven, career-oriented ladder climber.”
Could not be further from the truth. The majority of married men earn more than their wives. Hypergamy is real, and most women would never consider a man marriage material unless he brought home the majority of the bacon.
Hell yeah ….. not saying it’s either bad or good but I could see how being a slacker has it’s benefits … heck of a lot less stress.