Ambition vs. Goal: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Ambition is a broad desire for achievement or distinction, like a career or fame, whereas a goal is a specific target or objective, like getting a degree or completing a project.
Key Differences
Ambition is often seen as a deep, internal drive, a longing for something more, like a career aspiration or a life's passion. Goal, on the other hand, is a specific, measurable, and time-bound target, such as learning a new skill or finishing a task.
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Nov 26, 2023
Ambition serves as the fuel, the larger, often more abstract motivation behind one's actions, like the desire to be a successful writer. Goal is the milestone, the concrete step, like finishing a novel.
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While ambition can be seen as a persistent, underlying force that shapes one's direction in life, like becoming an influential leader, a goal is a distinct point to be reached, such as winning an election.
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Ambition can exist without clearly defined goals, representing a general sense of wanting to achieve greatness in a field. Goal refers to specific achievements, like earning a particular award or recognition.
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Ambition often drives the creation of goals, providing a broader context and purpose, like the drive to innovate in technology. Goal is the manifestation of this drive in actionable steps, like inventing a new software.
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Comparison Chart
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Ambition and Goal Definitions
Ambition
A strong desire to achieve success or distinction.
Her ambition to become a renowned scientist drove her relentless research.
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Nov 21, 2023
Goal
A specific objective or target to be achieved.
Her goal was to complete her master's degree in two years.
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Nov 21, 2023
Ambition
An aspirational drive towards a significant achievement or status.
His ambition led him to climb the highest peaks in the world.
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Nov 21, 2023
Goal
A particular ambition or aim set to be accomplished.
Her goal was to travel to 30 countries before turning 30.
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Nov 21, 2023
Ambition
A deep-seated yearning for notable success or achievement.
The young athlete's ambition was to win an Olympic gold medal.
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Nov 21, 2023
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Goal
A measurable and time-bound milestone.
His goal was to lose 10 pounds in three months.
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Nov 21, 2023
Ambition
The motivation to reach higher and strive for personal or professional goals.
Her ambition to write bestselling novels kept her writing late into the night.
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Nov 21, 2023
Ambition
A long-term aspiration for accomplishment or fame.
His ambition to be a celebrated chef made him experiment with unique recipes.
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Nov 21, 2023
Goal
A structure or area into which players endeavor to propel a ball or puck in order to score points.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ambition
An eager or strong desire to achieve something, such as fame or power.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ambition
Desire for exertion or activity; energy
Had no ambition to go dancing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ambition
Eager or inordinate desire for some object that confers distinction, as preferment, honor, superiority, political power, or fame; desire to distinguish one's self from other people.
My son, John, wants to be a firefighter very much. He has a lot of ambition.
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Oct 19, 2023
Goal
A noun or noun phrase referring to the place to which something moves.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ambition
(countable) An object of an ardent desire.
My ambition is to own a helicopter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ambition
A desire, as in (sense 1), for another person to achieve these things.
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Oct 19, 2023
Goal
A result that one is attempting to achieve.
My lifelong goal is to get into a Hollywood movie.
She failed in her goal to become captain of the team.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ambition
(uncountable) A personal quality similar to motivation, not necessarily tied to a single goal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Goal
(sport) In many sports, an area into which the players attempt to put an object.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ambition
(obsolete) The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or any other object of desire; canvassing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Goal
A point scored in a game as a result of placing the object into the goal.
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Ambition
The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or any other object of desire; canvassing.
[I] used no ambition to commend my deeds.
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Oct 19, 2023
Goal
A noun or noun phrase that receives the action of a verb. The subject of a passive verb or the direct object of an active verb. Also called a patient, target, or undergoer.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ambition
An eager, and sometimes an inordinate, desire for preferment, honor, superiority, power, or the attainment of something.
Cromwell, I charge thee, fling a way ambition:By that sin fell the angels.
The pitiful ambition of possessing five or six thousand more acres.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ambition
To seek after ambitiously or eagerly; to covet.
Pausanias, ambitioning the sovereignty of Greece, bargains with Xerxes for his daughter in marriage.
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Goal
The mark set to bound a race, and to or around which the constestants run, or from which they start to return to it again; the place at which a race or a journey is to end.
Part curb their fiery steeds, or shun the goalWith rapid wheels.
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Oct 19, 2023
Goal
The final purpose or aim; the end to which a design tends, or which a person aims to reach or attain.
Each individual seeks a several goal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Goal
A base, station, or bound used in various games as the point or object which a team must reach in order to score points; in certain games, the point which the ball or puck must pass in order for points to be scored. In football, it is a line between two posts across which the ball must pass in order to score points; in soccer or ice hockey, it is a net at each end of the soccer field into which the soccer ball or hocjey puck must be propelled; in basketball, it is the basket{7} suspended from the backboard, through which the basketball must pass.
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Oct 19, 2023
Goal
The act or instance of propelling the ball or puck into or through the goal{3}, thus scoring points; as, to score a goal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Goal
The state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it;
The ends justify the means
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Oct 19, 2023
Goal
A successful attempt at scoring;
The winning goal came with less than a minute left to play
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Oct 19, 2023
Goal
Game equipment consisting of the place toward which players of a game try to advance a ball or puck in order to score points
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Oct 19, 2023
Goal
The place designated as the end (as of a race or journey);
A crowd assembled at the finish
He was nearly exhuasted as their destination came into view
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Oct 19, 2023
Goal
A clearly defined aim or purpose.
The team's goal was to win the championship.
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Nov 21, 2023
Goal
A tangible endpoint or result to be attained.
The company's goal was to double its revenue by the next fiscal year.
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Nov 21, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is ambition?
Ambition is a strong desire or drive for achievement or success in a particular area.
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Nov 26, 2023
What is a goal?
A goal is a specific target or objective that someone sets to achieve, often within a timeframe.
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Nov 26, 2023
Is ambition always positive?
Not necessarily; while ambition can drive success, excessive ambition may lead to negative outcomes like stress or unethical behavior.
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Nov 26, 2023
How do goals relate to ambitions?
Goals are often the tangible steps or milestones that help one achieve their broader ambitions.
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Do ambitions require goals?
While not mandatory, goals often provide a structured path to realize one's ambitions.
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Can goals change?
Yes, goals can and often do change based on new information, experiences, or priorities.
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What makes a good goal?
A good goal is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
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Nov 26, 2023
Can ambitions change over time?
Yes, ambitions can evolve as a person's interests, experiences, and circumstances change.
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Can someone have multiple goals at once?
Yes, it's common to have several goals simultaneously, spanning different areas of life.
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How do you balance ambition and contentment?
Balancing ambition with contentment involves setting realistic expectations and finding satisfaction in the journey, not just the outcome.
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How do ambition and goal setting affect personal growth?
Both ambition and goal setting are key drivers of personal growth, helping individuals develop skills, resilience, and self-awareness.
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Nov 26, 2023
How specific should a goal be?
Goals should be as specific as possible to provide clear direction and make progress measurable.
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How do you identify your ambition?
Identifying ambition often involves self-reflection, considering personal values, interests, and long-term desires.
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Should goals always be challenging?
While challenging goals can be motivating, they should also be achievable to prevent discouragement.
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Is it okay to not have an ambition?
Yes, it's perfectly normal for some people to not have clear ambitions and focus instead on immediate or short-term goals.
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Can ambitions be too ambitious?
Yes, overly ambitious goals can be unrealistic and lead to disappointment or burnout.
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How often should goals be reviewed?
Regular review, such as monthly or quarterly, is beneficial to track progress and make adjustments.
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Nov 26, 2023
Do goals always lead to success?
Not always; achieving goals depends on various factors including planning, effort, and external circumstances.
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Nov 26, 2023
Can ambition be learned?
While some aspects of ambition may be innate, people can cultivate it through experiences and mindset shifts.
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Nov 26, 2023
Is it important to write down goals?
Writing down goals can help clarify them and increase commitment and accountability.
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Nov 26, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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