The Smart Ambition Framework

Here's something I've been thinking about after my conversations with James Clear, Seth Godin, and Perry Marshall.

Most people are ambitious about the wrong things.

They're optimizing for metrics that don't actually matter - vanity numbers, busy work, goals that sound impressive but don't move the needle.

 

And then they wonder why they're exhausted but not fulfilled.

 

Let me explain what I mean.

 

The Problem With Unfocused Ambition

Perry Marshall taught me something profound: 80% of what you do is useless.

That hit me like a lightning bolt.

Most ambitious people are working incredibly hard on the 80% that doesn't matter while ignoring the 20% that would change everything.

 

Based on having worked with hundreds of business owners over the last decade, here's what I've learned this looks like (in practice):

• Setting 10 goals instead of finding the 1 goal that makes the other 9 irrelevant
• Building habits around outcomes instead of identity
• Trying to change results without changing environment

The burnout isn't a character flaw. It's feedback that you're optimizing for the wrong things.

 

The Smart Ambition Framework

 

Instead of working harder, what if you worked on the right things?

 

Here's my 3-step framework for sustainable ambition:

 

Step 1: Find Your 20% Goals Ask yourself:

"Which goal, if achieved, would make my other goals either easier or irrelevant?"

 

For me, that was hiring great team members. One great hire eliminated ten other goals because they built the systems I was trying to build myself.

 

Step 2: Build Identity-Based Systems

James Clear taught me this: "Every action you take is a vote for the kind of person you believe you are."

 

Instead of "I want to grow my business," ask "What kind of person effortlessly grows businesses?" Answer: Someone who understands their customers deeply and builds systems.

 

Your goal becomes: "Become the type of person who builds systems."

 

Step 3: Design Your Environment

Seth Godin told me: "Pick your customers, pick your future."

 

Your environment includes the people you serve. Energy-giving customers make every goal easier. Energy-draining customers make every goal harder.

 

Same principle applies to your physical space, your digital environment, and your daily routines.

 

Your Daily Smart Ambition Practice

Morning: Clarity Before Action

Identify your one $10,000/hour activity for the day
Ask: "What kind of person does this thing consistently?"
Set up your environment to make the right choice effortless

Midday: Systems Check

Pause and ask: "Am I working on my 20% or my 80%?"
If it's 80% work, delegate it, eliminate it, or batch it for later

Evening: Identity Reinforcement

Review: "What did I do today that reinforced my desired identity?"
Plan tomorrow's highest-leverage activity

The Real Point
You don't need to want less. You need to want the right things.

 

Ambition isn't the enemy - unfocused ambition is.

 

When you're clear on your 20% goals, build identity-based systems, and design your environment strategically, ambition becomes effortless.

 

You're not grinding toward someone else's definition of success. You're systematically becoming the person who naturally achieves your version of it.

 

Need help identifying your 20% goals?

 

Hit reply and let's figure it out together. I'll help you separate your high-leverage activities from the busy work that's keeping you stuck.

 

The goal isn't to work less. It's to work on the right things.

 

Ciao for now,

Ash