Ambition can be a healthy, driving force. But in a culture that worships success, it can easily turn toxic, becoming a source of chronic stress that harms your health and relationships. A clinical psychologist suggests asking yourself five questions to determine if your ambition is helping or hurting you.
Our society often rewards the very behaviors that lead to toxic ambition, making it hard to see the problem. We are praised for sacrificing sleep for work and for being “tough” enough to handle immense pressure. But this path often leads to burnout.
Ask yourself these questions honestly:
- Is my self-worth tied entirely to my achievements? (A sign of taking things too personally).
- Do I view rest and breaks as a waste of time? (A rejection of micro-breaks).
- Are my work relationships primarily sources of competition and stress? (A sign of unhealthy enmeshment).
- Do I hide my struggles from my loved ones to appear strong? (A refusal to share stressors).
- Do I become highly defensive or stressed when I receive critical feedback? (A lack of appetite for growth).
If you answered “yes” to several of these, your ambition may have become toxic. It’s a sign that you need to integrate well-being strategies to create a more sustainable and genuinely successful life.