Study finds ambition may be good for your health
March 20, 2012
A new study has found that ambitious people who achieve their goals are happier than those who don't set and reach goals for themselves.
Researchers from the Franklin Schurz Chair of Management at the University of Notre Dame and the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida looked at data that was collected over a period of 70 years, beginning in 1922. The study, originally started by a Stanford psychologist, included more than 1,500 California children who had scored high on intelligence tests.
The original study included information on the participants' ambition and included many follow-up surveys on careers, activities and personal satisfaction. This information was used by the new research team to make observations about ambition and how it affects people.
According to MSNBC, they found that ambitious people who achieve their goals live longer than those with average drive and determination.
In addition, ambitious people tend to be happier than other people, according to the data.
"I guess you could say that those people got it all," the study’' lead author, Timothy Judge, from the Franklin Schurz Chair of Management at the University of Notre Dame, told the news provider. "Of course we don't know what they did to claw their way to the top, but they took their aspirations and made good."
However, being ambitious isn't good for everyone. Researchers found that those with high ambitions who did not achieve their goals tended to die younger.
Of course, most people have varying levels of ambition in both their personal and professional lives. Some may set a goal to get a management position at their job, while others will be happy with the status quo.
Being successful also means different things to each individual. However, many people equate having a good, well-paying job with being successful.
Getting a college degree can help those whose ambition is to be successful in their job achieve their goals.
Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau found that, in 2010, individuals with a bachelor's degree made an average of $58,000 per year, compared to $31,000 per year for those with only a high school diploma.
Mothers who want to pursue their dream of getting a college degree for any reason should know that money doesn't have to derail their plan. Moms can help offset the high cost of education by using various grants for parents, college scholarships and other financial aid options.
