Ambition and well-being: a balance to cultivate

In 2016, I told myself: Never again would I forget myself in MY own life.

Duality between Ambition and Well-being

At the time, my partner, who was in the military, had been transferred to the recruit school. Initially, we had decided not to move the family. This meant that Dominic had to drive ten hours every weekend to come home, and I, newly appointed as a director, had to manage the daily routine alone with my young son. Every evening, once my son was in bed, I would prepare the next day’s meals and ensure all my work files were ready after completing all my household tasks. I would close my files late at night, exhausted.

We maintained this rhythm for nearly nine months.

One evening, completely drained, I had a realization as I felt the onset of a panic attack, I was crying uncontrollably. I called my partner and made the decision that we would sell the house and move to be with him. This also meant resigning from a position I had worked so hard to achieve. I had to put my ambition on pause to reassess my priorities and step back from the tree to see the forest. I was so overwhelmed that I didn’t realize I wasn’t just pressed against the tree, I was buried underground.

The following months were a time of reflection and healing. My biggest realization was that I had lost perspective on my vision because I was no longer part of it. For months, I had neglected my well-being.

Today, I recognize the warning signs, and I know that we can be ambitious while also taking care of our bodies, our minds, and our mental strength. Balance is not a luxury, it is a necessity so that our ambition doesn’t consume us but elevates us.

The Duality Between Ambition and Well-Being

Ambition is often seen as a driving force, an energy that pushes us to aim higher, to excel, to innovate. But at what cost? Too often, I have seen passionate professionals invest their entire being into their work, to the point of losing themselves. I know this because I have lived it. And it is precisely for this reason that I have made the balance between ambition and well-being my mission. Because no one should have to choose between success and self-preservation.

Today, what fuels me is helping others reconcile performance and fulfillment, without losing themselves along the way.

So, is the balance between ambition and well-being truly possible? Or is it an illusion in a world where performance takes center stage?

The Importance of Listening—to Yourself First

I have always believed that effective communication is the key to leadership. It is not just about what we say but how we listen and understand. To be a good leader, whether in business or in life, we must first learn to listen to ourselves.

Take the example of work versus personal life. Too often, we fall into the trap of thinking, I must always be available, as if our value depends on our ability to respond to every request immediately. But setting clear boundaries is not a sign of weakness, it is a mark of professional maturity.

From my experience managing teams, I have learned that establishing clear expectations prevents frustration. For example, defining standards like arriving five minutes early to meetings or asking for help before feeling overwhelmed does not hinder ambition, it makes it more sustainable. Working smarter, not harder, is the key to lasting performance.

Ambition should not mean constant sacrifice. It should be a driving force, not a prison. To achieve this, we must learn to block time for ourselves, to nurture our energy the same way we nurture our projects. I learned this by integrating one simple principle into my schedule: making myself a priority in my life. Not after the emergencies. Not after the deadlines. Now. Because if we don’t take care of ourselves, who will?

A New Definition of Success

Listening should not be reserved for others, it must be bilingual: listening to our bodies, listening to our emotions, and adjusting our trajectory accordingly.

Ambition without awareness leads to burnout. Ambition aligned with our values and well-being leads to sustainable success.

So, instead of choosing between ambition and well-being, what if we decided to marry the two?

And you, how do you balance ambition and well-being in your daily life?