What Does Ambition Look Like Right Now?
Lately, I’ve been asking myself, what does ambition look like in this season of parenthood, and how has it changed?
It’s looked different for me in every season. As a CFO I was granted structure, consistency, and evenings home. Those are attributes I personally thirst for. Transitioning to the Carbliss team has brought unpredictability, a lot of family planning and many nights away from home. The constant tug between providing fully for those who depend on me at work and home hasn’t changed.
The Guilt of Wanting More
I’ve carried the weight of guilt more times than I can count. I’ve learned that most limits are ones we place on ourselves. The rest are just excuses.
What has helped me move forward is having the right support. People around me who are also pushing for more. A partner who believes in building something, not just surviving it. Someone who pushes me when I need to be pushed and lets me lead when he needs to rest. That kind of partnership makes hard things feel possible and even fun.
At Carbliss, many of our team members have embraced this mindset as well. They’re more successful and spend more time with their families because they’ve blended the two, whether that’s bringing their spouse along to an event, letting the kids join in the fun as mini ambassadors, or heading to a launch early to visit their kids or siblings that happen to attend college nearby. It’s why we gift a vacation to our team and their families every year. The people not on payroll also make this dream possible.
Bringing Them Along for the Journey
This year, we are making a significant change. We took our girls out of public school and chose a virtual curriculum that allows them to travel with us more. Their classroom is now wherever we are. They are no longer just watching us travel; they’re witnessing us pour our hearts into our business and our team.
I don’t want them to miss bedtime stories, and I don’t want to miss tucking them in. I want them to see that we’re building something together. I want them to witness the challenges and the wins. They’ll learn more from living this with us than sitting in a classroom. At the end of the year, if it doesn’t work out, we can always pivot. But we’ll never know unless we try and move past the excuses.
Closing Thoughts
Being a mom and being ambitious don’t cancel each other out. It takes creativity, support, and the willingness to design a life that looks different from what’s expected.
That’s the beauty of this season. I’m not choosing one over the other; I’m picking both and building a life where they can exist together.
What does ambition look like for you right now? Have you ever felt guilt for wanting more, and how did you move through it?
Reply in the comments, I’d love to hear your story.