Ambition and success (links to 'Describe a goal you achieved')

1. Why is it important for people to have goals?

I’d say goals matter because they give your life a sense of direction, almost like a roadmap. Without them, people can drift and end up feeling frustrated or stuck. When you set a clear objective, it helps you prioritise your time and energy, and it also makes progress measurable. On top of that, achieving small goals can build confidence and resilience for bigger challenges.

2. Do you think ambition is always a positive quality?

Not necessarily. Ambition can be incredibly positive when it motivates people to improve themselves or contribute to society. However, if it turns into blind competitiveness or greed, it can damage relationships and even mental health. I suppose the key is balanced ambition, where you’re driven but still ethical, and you don’t sacrifice your wellbeing or other people just to get ahead.

3. How do people usually measure success in your country?

In my country, a lot of people still measure success in quite traditional ways, like income, job title and owning property. There’s a strong emphasis on visible status symbols, such as a nice car or sending your children to prestigious schools. That said, especially among younger generations, there’s a shift towards valuing work-life balance, personal fulfilment and doing something meaningful over just material achievement.

4. Is success more the result of hard work or of luck?

I tend to think hard work is the main driver, because consistent effort and persistence usually create opportunities. Having said that, luck does play a role, in terms of the family you’re born into or the economic situation you grow up in. So I’d see success as a combination: you can’t control luck, but hard work allows you to make the most of whatever circumstances you’re given.