Embracing Cyclical Ambition: A Softer Path to Success

We live in a world that celebrates constant hustle and unrelenting drive.

And as so many of us have found out the hard way, this idea that we can be always 'on' - striving, hustling, going for our dreams at 110% - is just not sustainable.

We’ve been there, it nearly broke us (maybe more than once).

If you’re here, you’re likely looking for another way.

A way to honour both your wild ambitions and your need for softness and rest.

Let me introduce you to cyclical ambition - an approach that's transformed my life and work, and might just be the game-changing reframe you've been looking for.

— In this article —

Understanding Cyclical Ambition: A New Paradigm
The Magic of Embracing Your Natural Rhythms
Practical Steps to Implement Cyclical Ambition
Overcoming Challenges and Guilt
Your Invitation to a Softer, More Sustainable Success

Understanding Cyclical Ambition: Finding Balance and Wellbeing

Cyclical ambition is about riding the natural waves of your energy, inspiration and motivation, rather than trying to force yourself to be constantly 'on'.

It's recognising that, just like the seasons or phases of the moon, we too have natural cycles of productivity and rest, inspiration and disillusionment, engagement and withdrawal.

It's not about lowering your goals, but about achieving them in a way that feels good.
It honours both your drive and vision, and your need for softness and space.
It's sustainable, allowing you to play the long game in your career and life.

I discovered this approach through my own experience, at a point when I was feeling pretty rotten and self-critical about my undulating energy rhythms, beating myself up for what coaches told me was ‘inconsistency’, tired of feeling like I was failing because I wasn’t growing/expanding at the time.

I was in a season of deep rest following a very successful year in business and I was feeling torn between knowing that spaciousness and quiet was exactly what I needed and guilty for not keeping up last year’s momentum.

Then I realised, I’m cyclically ambitious!!

I have big visions, I work towards them, achieve them, then I’m done for a while.

At that point I’m in need of unstructured time, low-commitments, rest and play. At that point I’m ambitious about how much softness I can create.

Then my desire to contribute begins to call me again, the next goal takes shape and my energy (fully restored) lines up behind it.

The Magic of Embracing Your Natural Rhythms

When we start to work with our natural cycles of energy, inspiration and engagement, instead of against them, amazing things happen.

In my own life and in my work with clients, I've seen:

Increased creativity and innovation during rest phases
Higher quality work and deeper focus during active phases
Improved overall wellbeing and reduced episodes of burnout
Greater resilience in the face of challenges
A growing self-trust and a relaxation into their unique journey

Remember that woman who felt she couldn't possibly take a break from her work or business? When she finally allowed herself to embrace cyclical ambition, she not only avoided burnout but came back with her most innovative ideas yet.

Practical Steps to Implement Cyclical Ambition

Get to know your rhythms: Start by observing when you naturally feel energised and when you need rest. You’ll discover daily, weekly and seasonal patterns, all are perfectly yours!
Plan around your cycles: Let go of the idea that you need to be consistently ambitious to be successful and learn to ride the waves. All of our inner seasons are equally valuable, none are wrong.
Embrace the intensity: When you're in a high-energy, engaged phase, give yourself permission to be ambitious and driven.
Honour rest: Equally important is respecting your need for rest and integration. This isn't about stopping completely, but shifting to softer, more nurturing activities.

Overcoming the Struggles of Challenges and Guilt

Adopting this approach isn't always easy. Often women I work with feel guilty during rest phases, and worry they’re falling behind.

Here's what helps me:

I really want to challenge the idea that we rest in order to be more productive, rest is to be enjoyed for its own sake, it has its own magic. And it’s essential for creativity, quality of life and long-term sustainable success.
Your timeline is your own, there is no milestone you’re supposed to have hit by now or goal you’re behind on. Everything in nature unfurls according to its own sweet timing - and you are no different.
By riding the waves of our rhythms we avoid the boom and bust cycles of over-work and collapse. Trust the process. By working with your natural rhythms, you'll ultimately achieve more in the long-term and live more deliciously than if you force yourself to constantly be high-performing.

Your Invitation to a Softer, More Sustainable Success

Your Assignment: Take a moment to reflect on your natural cycles. When do you feel most energised and inspired? When do you need rest and withdrawal? How could you start aligning your work with these rhythms?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Embracing cyclical ambition doesn't mean lowering your goals or diminishing your drive. Rather, it's about working and living smarter, not harder.

By aligning your ambitious visions with your natural rhythms, you create your own blueprint for sustainable success.

Your ambitions are too important to be derailed by burnout.

By embracing a cyclical approach, you're ensuring that you have the energy, creativity, and resilience to pursue your dreams for the long haul.

Here's to riding the waves of your ambition, sustainably and joyfully.

Have you experienced the benefits of cyclical ambition? What challenges do you face in embracing this approach?

~~~~~

If you enjoyed this blog post, you might also like to read:

Want to go deeper?

Work with me - explore my current online courses, 1-to-1 and seasonal mentoring.
Subscribe to my mailing list to stay up to date with my latest blogs, videos, courses and workshops.