In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire explores the nuanced relationship between ambition, fear, and contentment. What if your ambition isn’t really gone… but simply changing shape?

With insight, humor, and plenty of hard truths, Claire unpacks how ambition often gets tangled up with fear—fear of worthlessness, fear of missing out, fear of falling behind—and how that mislabeling can make us think we’re “losing” something essential. She offers a reframing that helps authors understand the difference between fear-fueled ambition and hope-fueled ambition, and how to build a healthier, more sustainable drive in your creative career.

If you’ve ever thought, “I used to be so motivated—what happened to me?” this episode is for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The surprising truth about how ambition and contentment actually support each other

Why ambition doesn’t have to feel like a fire under your ass

How fear disguises itself as ambition (especially for Enneagram Threes and Sevens)

Why tying ambition to outcomes you can’t control leads to burnout

How to distinguish between “fear-driven” and “hope-driven” ambition

A practical way to reframe self-talk so ambition feels energizing, not punishing

Why practicing contentment won’t kill your ambition—it may save it

Takeaway Challenge:

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If this episode helped you reimagine ambition in a healthier way, share it with another author who might need it too. You can also support the show by leaving a review wherever you listen—it makes a big difference in helping other writers find this resource.

Want more support? Visit liberatedwriter.com to explore Claire’s coaching, courses, workshops, and books for building a sustainable, liberated writing career.

Access the transcript here.

Happy writing!