Ep 427: When Ambition Goes Too Far

HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

Ambition…let’s talk about it. We’ve been told it’s not a dirty word, that it’s ok (actually more than ok) for women to be ambitious. We’ve been told we should strive for C-suite positions, the corner office, and to continue reaching for higher and higher paying roles.

For Jennifer Romolini, these messages were working, yet reaching the top did not fulfill her in the way that she thought it would. In her new book Ambition Monster, she chronicles how being overly ambitious and reaching the top made her so burnt out that she ended up literally losing her voice and her job. Listen in to hear about why being forced to rebuild was the best thing that ever happened to her.

In Mailbag, we hear from a listener who’s weighing the pros and cons of paying off a credit card every fourteen days to build credit. We also hear from a couple who is wondering the next best step after maxing out a high-yield savings account while saving up for a house.

Chapters:

00:00:00: Introduction

00:06:44: Jennifer's Belief in Work as Salvation

00:11:17: The Problem with Overworking

00:19:16: Finding New Balance and Living Your Values

00:24:11: Recognizing Workaholism and Ambition Issues

00:26:55: Mailbag

Takeaways:

• The definition of ambition may be outdated and prioritize men, leading to challenges for women in the workplace.
• Workaholism and burnout can have significant physical, emotional, and financial consequences.
• Finding balance and fulfillment in work and life requires setting boundaries, making tough decisions, and prioritizing self-care.
• The pursuit of a meaningful life involves redefining success, living by one's values, and seeking internal gratification.
• Recognizing the signs of work addiction and imbalance is crucial for personal well-being and growth.

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The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney.

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