Blog post 29 Innovate

INSIGHT 22 | AMBITION MATTERS

Ambition is setting your own benchmark, not chasing others.

A contract you sign with yourself.

Did you read the small print, or simply back yourself?

Either way, how’s that panning out?

in²² | Ambition Matters

Benchmark products… Others will follow not always surpass

Sport and ambition they come hand in hand, the modern equivalent of a battle between nations and tribes, settling scores with a lot less blood and few fatalities. Yet in real life many run so close to the wire that they knowingly place their lives on the line. Any motor sport has seen the cost of ambition paid at the ultimate price, none more notorious than the Isle of Man TT. Yet the pull remains powerful; a reminder of how undaunted the human spirit can be.

We’ve touched on hare-brained schemes, and Richard Hammond is a case in point with a number of close calls from Top Gear challenges that pushed too far. Yet even he would appreciate the utter determination, and let’s face it shear bloody mindedness, of Anthony Hopkins as Bob Munro a New Zealander in the 2005 film The World’s Fastest Indian.

Bob represents ambition personified, at the age of 68 he set a land speed record at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967 on a 1920’s Indian Motorcycle that incredulously still stands today. For the data geeks amongst you who fancy having a crack at Bobs’ benchmark, you will need to average 184 mph (296km/h) over two runs in the under 1000cc class with a top speed of 205 mph (331 km/h).

The distance he travelled to achieve his dream whilst in his twilight years, and let’s face it the antique he chose for the job, make this feat remarkable. But the fact he returned to compete for years to come, is for me, an unrivalled illustration of the power of personal ambition. Summed up by one line in the film “He’s got no parachute, and he’s got no brakes” just like your average entrepreneur.

Put simply, you’ve got to watch this film, easily in my top three. Otherwise, I’ll be compelled to spoil the full story and overshadow my insight.

I believe the role of ambition is misunderstood and undervalued. Without it neither the idea nor the journey gets off the ground. With ambition you set the tone and ultimately the benchmark.

There are so many product illustrations I could draw upon but where’s the fun in being stereotypical. In fact, it’s actually quite hard to pinpoint a product that will genuinely both touch and impact you. Emotion with purpose is a relatively rare combination, yet that’s exactly what you should aspire to deliver.

My advice to you, whatever your stage in life, be more Bob.

Redefine what’s possible in your chosen field and set your ambition. Setting a benchmark isn’t just about being first, it’s the length of the stride you take.

Will you…

... Leap as far as Johnathan Edwards, stay ahead of the competition, out of reach for decades.

... Continuously raise the bar like Armand Duplantis, set a target that will only come under pressure when technology catches up.

... Redefine boundaries that move the ceiling not just the needle, just like Alex Honnold.