The True Cost of Ambition

Issue #17316 - November 2025 | Page #90

By Todd Drummond

What is a job or career truly worth to you? How do you define your own worth?

Imagine knowing, before accepting a new position, that it might cost you something far greater than time — that it could erode your closest relationships, damage your marriage, or distance you from your children. Would you still think it was worth it?

Yes, that’s a heavy question — and many dismiss it as exaggeration when talking about career goals. But after decades in the industry, I’ve seen too many people pay exactly that price. Careers that began with promise ended with regret, not because of failure at work, but because of what was lost outside of it.

If you have big ambitions and want to advance your career, especially if you’re young, I urge you to pause and listen. Over the years, I’ve spoken with countless successful CEOs and business owners. After turning sixty, I can tell you this with confidence: many young professionals don’t yet understand the true cost of ambition — or what a company is really offering beyond the paycheck and benefits written on paper.

Do you want to be a high earner or top performer within a company? Maybe you dream of becoming an executive in the corner office. If so, ask yourself — what price are you willing to pay?

Studies have shown that high performers face a divorce or relationship failure rate ranging from 50% to as high as 70%. That’s right — up to 70% see their personal lives fall apart and have to rebuild from the ground up.

Why does striving for professional success take such a toll on relationships? It comes down to two main factors: relentless stress and the endless hours demanded to reach for that brass ring. I’ve known countless people who’ve sacrificed years of their lives far beyond the standard 40-hour workweek, believing it was the price of success. But their families often paid the real cost through absence, distance, and emotional disconnection.

We all have to put in long hours at times — that’s part of life and business. But those hours should be the exception, not the rule. I learned that lesson the hard way. When I was in my thirties, my wife once called me at midnight on a Friday because I was still in the office trying to meet a deadline — something that had become all too common. She had every right to be angry. That moment made me realize that no professional success is worth losing the people who matter most.

Keeping Perspective

Never fall for the belief that a company is more than a job opportunity. Every company changes over time — driven by market forces, leadership shifts, or new ownership. I’ve seen it time and again: long-time, loyal employees suddenly replaced or their positions eliminated as the business moves in a new direction. No job is ever guaranteed, and nothing in the corporate world lasts forever.

Even the friendships and relationships you build within a company will eventually change or fade as people move on. It’s simply the nature of business. No policy, contract, or government protection can prevent it — it’s part of the cycle every organization and employee experiences.

Here’s the truth about any job or company: no matter how great it seems, it’s still just a job — not your identity or your purpose. Every position is temporary, and one day, someone else will take your place. What truly matters are the people in your life — your family, your relationships, and the impact you leave behind. Work hard and take pride in what you do, but never forget: your job is replaceable. You are not.

My best advice to any young person is this: never be more loyal to an organization than it is to its employees. Too often, I speak with young employees whose belief in their company is overinflated — they’ve bought into the executive marketing pitch without realizing that the true culture and nature of the organization often fall far short of what’s promised. Understand that any position you hold may grow into something better — with higher pay and greater opportunities — but always keep it in perspective. Not everyone will advance, and sometimes, there simply isn’t room to move up where you are.

Growth often requires risk and sacrifice. And remember, every employer ultimately views each position as a cost that must be justified by your contribution. They must be able to afford your wages and still gain a return on your work.

A good job or a promising career can be deeply rewarding, but don’t let it define your identity or your self-worth. Who you are — and the life you build outside of work — will always matter far more than any title or paycheck.

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