I’ve always been ambitious. But during my drinking days, my ambitions were unrealistic, because I wasn’t willing to do the work. I wanted to be at the top without putting in the effort to climb there. My dreams were big, but my actions were lacking because of my priorities.
Today, I must approach ambition differently. I weigh my goals against my willingness to do the work, ensuring I’m ready to put in the effort to achieve them. However, stroke recovery has added a new layer to that balance: my physical capabilities. This has been a humbling adjustment. I’ve always told my kids, “If you want something badly enough, you can do it.” But now, I find myself wondering—does that still hold true for me? There are simply things I can no longer do.
So, I’ve had to redefine my balance of ambition, willingness, and capability. I’m learning to set goals that are realistic for where I am today while still challenging myself to grow. It’s about finding what pushes me forward without tipping the scales too far. Ambition is still part of my life—but now, it’s grounded in acceptance and guided by perseverance.
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Visit me at recoverydailypodcast.com or email me at rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com.
#Ambition #StrokeSurvivor #Perseverance #BalancingLife #HardWorkPaysOff #SobrietyJourney #GoalSetting #OvercomingObstacles #MindsetShift #resilience
