Character Trait: Ambitious

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Ambitious is the quality of being driven and goal-oriented. An ambitious person has a strong desire to achieve something significant and is willing to work hard to make it happen. They are not content with just getting by but strive to excel and make a difference in their lives and the lives of those around them. Ambition can manifest itself in various ways, such as striving for success in one's career, achieving personal goals, or pursuing a particular passion or dream.

Possible causes of being ambitious

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Fear of failure and desire to avoid it at all costs
• Strong work ethic and determination to succeed
• Upbringing and cultural influences that emphasize achievement and success
• Competitive nature and desire to outperform others
• Desire for power and influence
• Inner drive to overcome challenges and obstacles
• Strong desire for success and achievement
• Need for recognition and admiration from others

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Behaviors associated with being ambitious

You may be able to show your character's trait of ambitious by using these.

• Being proactive and taking initiative
• Being resilient in the face of setbacks and obstacles
• Setting challenging goals for oneself
• Taking calculated risks to achieve success
• Focusing on long-term outcomes rather than short-term gratification
• Pursuing one's dreams and aspirations with determination
• Continuously seeking self-improvement and growth
• Having a strong desire to succeed and achieve recognition for one's accomplishments
• Working hard and putting in the necessary effort to achieve success

Attitudes associated with being ambitious

You may be able to show ambitious through their attitudes.

• Willingness to take risks and pursue challenging goals
• A tendency to set high standards for oneself and others
• High levels of motivation and determination
• A willingness to work hard and make sacrifices to achieve goals
• A sense of purpose and direction in life
• A focus on self-improvement and personal growth
• A belief in one's own abilities and potential
• A strong desire for success and achievement
• A willingness to learn from failure and setbacks

Thoughts and struggles associated with being ambitious

Here are some ideas for things your ambitious character may think or struggle with.

• Impatience with the pace of progress, leading to frustration and anger at perceived setbacks
• Difficulty in maintaining personal relationships as they prioritize their ambitions over social activities
• Feeling restless and unfulfilled when not working towards something
• Fear of failure and rejection, leading to a drive to prove oneself
• Struggling with the balance between ambition and ethics, sometimes making questionable decisions to get ahead
• Constantly setting high goals and striving to achieve them
• Feeling envy towards others who have achieved more success or recognition

Emotions associated with being ambitious

Here are some ideas for emotions your ambitious character may experience.

• Impatience
• Determination
• Focus
• Perseverance
• Competitive
• High energy
• Ruthlessness
• Self-discipline
• Goal-oriented
• Risk-taking
• Motivation
• Passion
• Drive
• Confidence
• Leadership

Facial expressions associated with being ambitious

Here are some facial expressions your ambitious character may exhibit.

• A subtle pursing of the lips indicating determination
• A raised eyebrow indicating curiosity or interest
• A confident and self-assured smile
• A slight furrow in the brow indicating deep thought
• An intense stare with narrowed eyes showing concentration
• A wide smile expressing excitement or eagerness
• A determined and focused gaze

Body language associated with being ambitious

Here is some body language your ambitious character may exhibit.

• Using an authoritative tone of voice
• Taking up space in a room
• Making firm hand gestures
• Eye contact with others
• Displaying confidence and self-assuredness
• Leaning forward to show interest
• Standing tall and straight
• Holding a steady gaze while speaking
• Engaging in active listening

For detailed feedback on ambitious characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's writing feedback tool.

Behaviors associated with being ambitious

Here are some behaviors your ambitious character may exhibit.

• Pursuing one's dreams and aspirations with determination
• Continuously seeking self-improvement and growth
• Taking calculated risks to achieve success
• Being resilient in the face of setbacks and obstacles
• Having a strong desire to succeed and achieve recognition for one's accomplishments
• Focusing on long-term outcomes rather than short-term gratification
• Setting challenging goals for oneself
• Being proactive and taking initiative
• Working hard and putting in the necessary effort to achieve success

Growth and evolution of ambitious characters

Here are some ways that your ambitious character may grow and evolve over time.

• Overcoming obstacles and challenges
• Learning to prioritize and manage time effectively
• Embracing failure as a learning opportunity
• Developing resilience and persistence
• Recognizing and addressing limitations and weaknesses
• Setting clear and achievable goals
• Understanding the consequences of their actions and choices
• Seeking out new opportunities for growth and advancement
• Balancing ambition with empathy and compassion for others

Stereotypes of ambitious characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical ambitious character like these examples.

• Avoid making your Ambitious character solely focused on their own personal gain or success at the expense of others.
• Avoid making your Ambitious character arrogant or egotistical, thinking they are better than others because of their ambition.
• Avoid making your Ambitious character ruthless or willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals, even if it means hurting others.
• Avoid making your Ambitious character overly competitive or obsessed with winning at all costs.

Negatives of being ambitious

Here are some potential negatives of being ambitious. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• The pursuit of success can sometimes lead to unethical or immoral behavior.
• Obsessing over goals can lead to neglecting other important areas of life, such as relationships or health.
• Fear of failure can become overwhelming and lead to anxiety or depression.
• Ambition can lead to a sense of competition and comparison with others, potentially damaging relationships.
• Ambition can become a never-ending pursuit, leading to burnout and stress.

Positives of being ambitious

Here are some potential positives of being ambitious. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Ambitious individuals often possess a strong work ethic, discipline, and determination.
• Ambition drives individuals to set challenging goals and work hard to achieve them.
• Ambition can lead to personal growth and development as individuals strive to improve themselves.
• Ambition fosters a sense of achievement and satisfaction when goals are accomplished.
• They tend to be proactive and take initiative in pursuing their goals.
• It can also inspire others and create a positive impact on those around them.
• It fuels a sense of purpose, providing direction and focus.

Verbal expressions of ambitious characters

Here are some potential expressions used by ambitious characters.

• "I am determined to make a difference."
• "I am not afraid of hard work and challenges."
• "I am driven to succeed."
• "I have a clear vision of what I want to achieve."
• "I am always striving for more."
• "I am willing to take risks to achieve my goals."
• "I won't settle for mediocrity."
• "I am constantly pushing myself to improve."
• "I have big dreams and goals."

Relationships of ambitious characters

Here are some ways that being ambitious could affect your character's relationships.

• They may be admired and respected for their accomplishments, serving as a source of inspiration and admiration for others.
• Ambitious people may struggle with collaboration and compromise, preferring to take charge and make decisions on their own.
• They may be perceived as self-centered or self-absorbed, prioritizing their own success over the needs or desires of others.
• Ambitious people may be seen as intimidating or threatening, particularly to those who feel insecure or uncertain about their own abilities.
• They may inspire and motivate others with their drive and determination, serving as a role model for those who share their aspirations.
• Ambitious people may struggle with work-life balance, prioritizing their career or personal goals over their relationships or leisure time.
• Ambitious people may be seen as competitive, striving to outdo others in order to achieve their goals.

Examples from books of characters who are ambitious

• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
• Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Macbeth from "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare
• Sherlock Holmes from "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Walter White from "Breaking Bad" by Vince Gilligan
• Howard Roark from "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell

Writing exercises for writing ambitious characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write ambitious characters.

• Write a scene where your character is faced with a setback or failure, and show how they respond and adapt.
• Write a scene where your character faces a moral dilemma that challenges their ambition, and show how they navigate it.
• Consider the consequences of your character's ambition, both positive and negative, and how it affects their relationships and the story's plot.
• Write a backstory for your character that explains where their ambition comes from and how it has shaped them.
• Imagine your character as a successful and accomplished version of themselves, and write a scene where they reflect on how they got there.
• Consider the difference between healthy and unhealthy ambition, and explore how your character's ambition fits into this spectrum.
• Brainstorm a list of goals your character has, both short-term and long-term.
• Create a conflict between your character's ambition and another character's desires or needs.
• Write a scene where your character sets a challenging goal for themselves and achieves it.