[gtyruzzel]

Get rich AND die trying: Ambitious people earn more money - but they die younger and are no happier, says study


By Rob Waugh

Last updated at 11:48 PM on 6th March 2012




Career ladder: The new study found that ambitious people earned more money and had prestigious jobs - but died younger, and were not a great deal happier

Parents who teach their children to value career ambitions over spending time with friends could be setting them up for an early grave, a study has revealed.

It found that go-getters who attend the best universities and secure high-powered jobs suffer poorer health and die younger than those with more modest aspirations.

Over 70 years, the U.S. study tracked 717 high-achievers who attended universities, such as Oxford, Harvard and Yale, as well as those without university degrees, to the end of their lives.

The researchers found that highly ambitious people neglected key areas of their lives that lead to happiness, including building a strong network of friends and maintaining stable relationships.

Professor Timothy Judge, who led the study at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, said: ‘Ambitious kids had higher educational attainment, attended highly esteemed universities, worked in more prestigious occupations, and earned more.

‘So, it would seem that they are poised to "have it all." However, we determined that ambition has a much weaker effect on life satisfaction and actually a slightly negative impact on longevity (how long people lived).


More...

• Did the MOON sink the Titanic? Freak tides caused icebergs to fill shipping lanes 100 years ago
• The Space Shuttle flies again! Lego replica of iconic craft floats to edge of atmosphere

'So, yes, ambitious people do achieve more successful careers, but that doesn't seem to translate into leading happier or healthier lives.’
Judge used a complex formula to judge ambition at every stage of life - and to divide high-ability individuals into 'ambitious' and 'less ambitious' groups.

The study didn’t address the underlying reasons for the higher mortality of ambitious people.

Those who went to university at institutions such as Cambridge may be more ambitious, but this will not necessarily make them happier in later life

‘If ambition has its positive effects, and in terms of career success it certainly seems that it does, our study also suggests that it carries with it some cost,’ Prof Judge says.

‘Despite their many accomplishments, ambitious people are only slightly happier than their less-ambitious counterparts, and they actually live somewhat shorter lives.’
‘Perhaps the investments they make in their careers come at the expense of the things we know affect longevity: healthy behaviours, stable relationships and deep social networks.
He added: ‘If your biggest wish for your children is that they lead happy and healthy lives, you might not want to overemphasise professional success.
'There are limits to what our ambitions bring us - or our children.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencete...#ixzz1oOPShaB9

[letmelogin]

What's funny about all that is that most average people look at "successful" (read: wealthy) people, and assume that they are happier.

I am not ambitious at all. When I tell people that, they look at me like I have two heads. My friends then try to explain to me how I am ambitious, as if I just said I was a worthless person. But I most assuredly am not ambitious. The company I contract for recently hired a director and he did a "getting-to-know-you" interview. He asked me where I would like to see myself in 5 years. I laughed and honestly replied "exactly where I am right now". I then explained to him my lack of ambition. (I know what you're thinking.) Hey, he wants to get to know all of us - our strengths and weaknesses, and I'm gonna be honest. In my eyes, I've got it made, why would I want anything to change? I don't have to commute, or listen to bs around the office, I earn enough money, plus I have almost zero responsibility. Love it!

Just because I am not ambitious does not mean that I am lazy, or unconcerned with my work. I am an ethical and conscientious worker, but that's because that's who I am in general.

We need all kinds of people in the world - some should be ambitious and some should not. I'll be one of the latter. Most importantly, everyone should be who they really are . . . that will bring the most opportunity for happiness.

[Kalobbis]

I am building my life so On The day I leave this world....... I will be surrounded by a circle of Love ones that will mourn my passing.

Rather then a circle of Materialistic Vultures with the hooked beaks and razor talons ready to rip my carcass to shreds to get what I cant take with me.

[vqIo7X2U]

What's funny about all that is that most average people look at "successful" (read: wealthy) people, and assume that they are happier.

I am not ambitious at all. When I tell people that, they look at me like I have two heads. My friends then try to explain to me how I am ambitious, as if I just said I was a worthless person. But I most assuredly am not ambitious. The company I contract for recently hired a director and he did a "getting-to-know-you" interview. He asked me where I would like to see myself in 5 years. I laughed and honestly replied "exactly where I am right now". I then explained to him my lack of ambition. (I know what you're thinking.) Hey, he wants to get to know all of us - our strengths and weaknesses, and I'm gonna be honest. In my eyes, I've got it made, why would I want anything to change? I don't have to commute, or listen to bs around the office, I earn enough money, plus I have almost zero responsibility. Love it!

Just because I am not ambitious does not mean that I am lazy, or unconcerned with my work. I am an ethical and conscientious worker, but that's because that's who I am in general.

We need all kinds of people in the world - some should be ambitious and some should not. I'll be one of the latter. Most importantly, everyone should be who they really are . . . that will bring the most opportunity for happiness.

I think you have it figured out just fine!
Many companies look at you with $ $ in their eyes for how much they can suck out of you.
I have no doubt with your talent, if you sold yourself as hungry and ambitious, they would have you working 80 hours a week and flying all over the damn place.
You chose wisely grasshopper!

If you threw out the "ethical and conscientious worker" part, you could get a good government job.

[Lictimind]

Thanks for the article, OP.

Life is short. I think in today's economic times some people may be changing their values - for the better.

[gtyruzzel]

I guess we can still be ambitious but direct it in the right way

[tropicana]

My answer to the "where do you see yourself in 5 years" question:

I don't because I have found that focusing on the future robs me from experiencing the present which is all I really have. With one foot in the past and one foot in the future I am in position to piss all over today.

[bitymnmictada]

Many companies look at you with $ $ in their eyes for how much they can suck out of you.

I could make more than five times my salary if I threw in the towel and went to work for my corporate competition. But I've seen the soulless look in their eyes as every ounce of energy is wrung from them. I'd have to buy a suit too, and I'd rather not.

http://youtu.be/k22b2qJUhzg

[Tazqoaap]

David Rockerfeller would disagree with the "but they die younger" part, unfortunately.

[ANCETPYNCTEXT]

I don't think I am ambitious either, I would like to be quite lazy really ! I have a plan, but its to much to type.

[bitymnmictada]

I have a plan, but its to much to type.

A procrastinator's work is never done. Ha ha.

[letmelogin]

A procrastinator's work is never done. Ha ha.

Hahahaha, nice!

[MYMcvBgl]

A procrastinator's work is never done. Ha ha.

Tell me about it....

[gtyruzzel]

David Rockerfeller would disagree with the "but they die younger" part, unfortunately.

Yea but what secret fountain of youth does he take...........and we dont know about........

[gtyruzzel]

I don't think I am ambitious either, I would like to be quite lazy really ! I have a plan, but its to much to type.

Freedom is the plan...........