Ambition without Careerism

Wed, 24 May 2006 11:57:08 +0100

I was listening to Radio 4's Great Lives program as I drove home yesterday. The particular life in question was Russian ballerina Tamara Karsavina.

Great Lives is a pretty odd show. I've listened to two and it's just not my kind of Radio except that... well somehow I find it interesting.

One comment in particular from the Karsavina show was her comment about being ambitious. I can't remember it exactly but it was along the lines of:

"I've always had strong ambition but never careerism."

That resonated with me because it's how I think of myself. I've always been ambitious and competitive but not really in any particular direction, more the direction de jour.

These days I am challenged to think a little harder. I guess partly because I am working with very goal oriented people and partly because, as I get older, I realise there is not the time left to achieve everything worth doing.

BTW; If anyone can give me Karsavina's exact quote that would be great.

Curiouser and Curiouser! on radio4

Ambition without Careerism