AMBITIOUS DEFINITION:driven by the desire to achieve a particular goal CATEGORIES:achievement, identity SIMILAR ATTRIBUTES:driven POSSIBLE CAUSES: Confidence and pride Being a passionate person; having big dreams The desire to achieve something one lacked as a child A fear of failure Needing to prove oneself to others or desiring to leave behind a legacy Having ambitious parents Sibling or peer rivalry Insecurity; worrying about not meeting expectations or not being good enough Wanting to please others Craving prestige or wealth that only success can bring Having a noble purpose (to stop poverty, to oust a neighborhood’s gangs, etc.) ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS: Rising early Being energetic Determination Efficiency Seeking out education or training; honing the skills needed for achievement Choosing to spend time with people who can help one become successful Working overtime or during holidays to get ahead Using flattery or being overly polite when dealing with those in power Asking for help from people in a position to do so Calling in favors Embracing hard work Planning for the future Taking on greater responsibilities Ignoring friendships in favor of working toward a goal Being highly organized Prioritizing one’s needs Having strong willpower Keeping a token for inspiration (a toy Ferrari to symbolize the real thing, etc.) Tackling tasks that others avoid or feel are beyond them Learning quickly from one’s mistakes instead of dwelling on them Breaking down big goals into smaller milestones to mark one’s progress Researching what one will need; making a plan for success Using others who achieved ambitious goals as role models Making choices that lead to fulfilling one’s goals Not being satisfied with the status quo Believing that things can always be better Wanting to do better or become the best at something Taking risks Being competitive with others Not allowing fears or worries to limit oneself Thinking “big” Not being overly fazed by setbacks; refocusing and moving past them ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS: If I go to work early, my boss will see how dedicated I am to the company. This year, I’m going to cross “run a marathon” off my bucket list. So I don’t go out as much as Lee. That’s why I’m a director and he’s still a manager. Amy’s the one for me; now I just have to get her to see it, too. ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:anticipation, confidence, determination, hopefulness POSITIVE ASPECTS:Ambitious characters are hardworking visionaries who don’t give up easily. When others see only roadblocks, these characters see amazing futures. Ambition requires great focus and single-mindedness that enables most people with this trait to succeed at their goals. NEGATIVE ASPECTS:Characters with ambition run the risk of putting their goals above everything else, including the people or priorities in life that should come first. When ethics and success become incompatible, achieving the goal often wins out. Many are perfectionists with unrealistic expectations who view anything short of success as failure. These characters also may set goals so high that they become unreachable, which leads to unhappiness and a lack of fulfillment. EXAMPLE FROM FILM:Former salesman Chris Gardner (The Pursuit of Happyness) is unemployed and homeless with his young son when he’s offered the chance to pursue a career as a stockbroker. The sole intern position is highly sought after, and Chris must fight for it despite having little money, no home, and no experience. Despite these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Chris does everything within his power to make a better life for him and his son.Other Examples from Film:Melanie Carmichael (Sweet Home Alabama), Bud Fox (Wall Street) TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:obedient, lazy, pensive, pushy, scatterbrained CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR THE AMBITIOUS CHARACTER: PLOTLINE: Pursuing a goal that breaks tradition or law (a female determined to be a Catholic priest, etc.) PLOTLINE: Being required to go against one’s ethics (being part of a cover-up, etc.) to succeed PLOTLINE: Having a competitor who is both talented and worthy PLOTLINE: Having a physical or mental handicap PLOTLINE: Having rivals without scruples who are willing to do whatever it takes to win PLOTLINE: Having a responsibility that takes up a lot of one’s time (caring for a sick uncle, etc.)