SHOW NOTES

Episode 361

Is Your Ambition Pointed in the Wrong Direction?

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC:

What does ambition look like after you’ve already reached a summit in your career? Or when you’ve outgrown the role you worked so hard to earn? This week, Laura Cox Kaplan explores how our definitions of ambition evolve over time. Inspired by last week’s powerful conversation with Sheryl Sandberg, Laura unpacks why restlessness, burnout, or nagging dissatisfaction may actually be signs that your ambition is evolving, not disappearing. She shares how writing her own “Lean In” story sparked her own pivot, and she offers a 3-part framework for evaluating whether you’re experiencing an ambition gap, burnout, or being pulled to embrace something new. 

This topic isn’t regularly discussed. If you’ve ever wondered, “What am I ambitious for, now?” or felt guilty for wanting something different, this episode will help you reframe your ambition in a way that is 100% yours!

HIGHLIGHTS & WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• HOW AMBITION EVOLVES: Laura reflects on her discussion with Sheryl Sandberg, who describes what ambition looks like some 13 years after writing “Lean In”
• OUTGROWING YOUR ROLE: What happens when you’ve reached the top, but the work no longer fits? Laura shares her realization that her own ambition hadn’t disappeared, but it needed a new direction.
• THE AIM FRAMEWORK: Discover Laura's actionable framework for navigating career evolution:
• Awareness: Recognizing the signals (restlessness, discomfort, envy) as valuable data.
• Intention: Actively choosing what you want to build rather than just following the next logical step.
• Mindset: Applying Carol Dweck’s growth mindset to see discomfort and uncertainty as opportunities, not verdicts.
• REDEFINING SUCCESS: Why “What am I ambitious for?” is a more powerful question than “Am I ambitious enough?” and how your daily choices reflect what you truly want.
• RESOURCES MENTIONED:
• “Mindset” by Carol Dweck
• Previous episode with Sheryl Sandberg (Ep. 360)

If you’ve been wrestling with what’s next or struggling to define what ambition means to you, these insights will help you own your story and set your sights on what truly matters.

FEEDBACK & COMMUNITY:

Which part of this episode resonated with you most? We’d love to hear! Contact us using the links below.

LET’S CONNECT!

• Instagram: @lauracoxkaplan
• LinkedIn: Laura Cox Kaplan
• Contact: shesaidshesaidpodcast.com
• Email: [email protected]

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