Ambition is most often thought of in terms of money and power. Yet, the word itself can accurately be used to refer to all kinds of human goals.

Suppose, for example, that you wanted to pursue a calling of being of service to impoverished people. You are passionate about helping and making a difference. You want to help a lot of people, and you desire to have your work produce meaningful positive change in their lives.

Would you consider that mindset ambitious? Does it fit to think of oneself as ambitious in serving others, or in protecting the environment, or in making the world a better place?

What are your ambitions that are unrelated to power and money? Are you an ambitious spouse, life partner, parent, family member, volunteer or friend?

What kind of thought do you give to the level of ambition you bring to being a friend, partner, etc.? Would you like to be more ambitious in these areas? Would you like to be less ambitious for money and power? Does ambition serve you or mis-serve you?

What do you think you can accomplish this year in your business or career? How ambitious are your plans? In this time of economic challenges, what kinds of goals have you set for yourself?

Let’s begin this week by channeling your ambition toward offering the best product or service that you can possibly offer. What kind of difference might it make to put your ambition on quality at least equal to a focus on dollars?

What are some immediate changes that you could make that would support this kind of ambition? How ambitious are you willing to be to improve quality? Does this kind of ambition feel useful to you?