Ambition & Passionate

How little we know of the words we use so easily. I sometimes share with my clients the origins of commonly used words – words likely to arise in a coaching session – when I feel it will bring something of value to the thinking. “Ambition” and “passionate” are two good examples to begin with.

Ambition. When we are powered by ambition we imagine ourselves to be like an arrow flying towards a target. Many things can go wrong, but the intended journey is straight and in one direction only.

But the classical Latin word from which “ambition” is derived paints a more nuanced picture. It is in two parts – “ambi-“, which means “around” and “-itio”, the root of which means “go”, hence “a going around”. It described political candidates going around canvassing for votes in Rome: unless they could take enough of the right people with them they would not succeed.

So it’s worth reflecting on the value of looking for support from others in achieving one’s aims. Thoughtful feedback from trusted sources can be an opportunity for re-evaluation, a re-positioning of the target.

Passionate. The word “passionate” is much used to describe an intensely-felt and positive approach to achieving a particular aim. It is a favourite of those who are promoting a service they provide to others (“…passionate about giving our clients the best possible service”).

But the Latin origin of the word means “I suffer” and another word derived from the same root is “passive”, which in current English has a very different meaning from “passionate”.

However all-consuming and joyful the commitment may be, an element of suffering may well be a necessary part of the journey.