Your 20’s can feel like the most exciting and overwhelming decade of your life. On one hand, the world is open, and you are making choices about your career, relationships, and who you want to be. On the other hand, the pressure to “figure it out” and “settle down” can weigh in heavily.

For me, ambition isn’t just about climbing a ladder. It’s about aligning the work I do with the life I want to live. I have learned that ambition means being intentional such as choosing opportunities that sharpen my skills. I’ve been reading a book called Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish in my free time. Even though I have been working through the book slowly I have picked up a big lesson from it so far. Which is the understanding that you have the power to make the choices which determine how you succeed in life. Positioning yourself and making decisions which drive you to be successful is a goal which most don’t understand how to utilize.

I could say that I am ambitious, but my actions might showcase it more as a dream rather than a reality that I am trying to achieve. For me, choosing opportunities that sharpen my skills, like internships, part-time jobs, or even taking classes in creative arts has helped me not only develop skills but also see glimpses of the bigger picture I’m working towards. Each step, no matter how small, feels like an investment in the person I want to become.

Ambition in your 20’s is socially viewed as burnout, however, it doesn’t have to mean that. it can mean being curious, exploring different paths, and trusting that every step, whether it’s a thesis defense, a summer internship, or even a gap year, it’s part of your bigger story. Bet on yourself now, so the life you dream about becomes your reality.

I used to be scared to slow down, as it wasn’t in my nature at all. From jumping from internship to internship, research projects, graduating, and even surgery, I have always been on the move. But after numerous conversations with others older than me, I came to realize that ambition is not just about speed but rather direction. It’s about being patient with yourself while still betting on yourself.

So, if you’re sitting at your part time job wondering why your 22 years old making coffees rather than having a 9-5, remember that it’s not about having everything figured out right now. You may be back living with your parents going through a difficult life transition, but your ambition hasn’t died. It’s been creating momentum, even in small ways, so that the life you dream about becomes your reality.

Go work that job, go on that date, make some new friends but position yourself for success through your ambition.