“Ambition” is a term laden with all kinds of assumptions from patriarchal, white-dominant, ableist culture. But I have good news. Ambition doesn’t have to be synonymous with the urge to acquire money, fame, or power. We can each define it for ourselves in a way that reflects the impact we want to have on the world. Here to help me figure out how is novelist, essayist, writing teacher, and ambition-redefining badass Esmé Weijun Wang.

Mentioned:

Esmé Weijun Wang is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of The Collected Schizophrenias and The Border of Paradise.

Her website is EsmeWang.com, and you can follow her on Instagram @esmewwang.

The Unexpected Shape Writing Academy is at UnexpectedShapeAcademy.com.

At timewitchery.com/planner you can get a Time Witchery anti-planner to help you develop your own definition of ambition.

Make Magic:

When you’re thinking about ambition, don’t think about the pressures that come from family, peers, or society about what You’re Supposed to Do. Focus instead on the excitement of doing and making things that delight you.