The meaning of the word ambition has been distorted. Ambitious people are perceived as manipulative, throat cutting and backstabbing. People often think that ambitious people are greedy and would do anything for a better position or a higher pay scale. Perhaps we need to correct this impression through a paradigm shift in our thinking. For me, ambition means hard work and diligence. But it is true that the difference between ambition and greed is difficult to define.

Ambition is a constructive force. It builds companies, expands economies, creates jobs, and increases wealth not only for ambitious people but also for others. It is the pursuit of an idea, and is driven by imagination. Greed is the quest of wealth without vision, without imagination. Greed is a destructive force. Although greed and ambition might seem to be similar, they are not the same.

Romana Shaikh, a successful teacher trainer, says, "For me ambition means having a goal, working towards it and achieving it honestly through proper channel. Greed, on the other hand, desires things that you don't really need or deserve”.

Afsa Babar, Manager, Career Guidance and College Placements, says that an ambitious person has high aims. You see yourself placed in a position that has either power or gives you a good standard of living or gets you more respect; but a greedy person is one who is never satisfied by anything, he achieves his goals but keeps on striving for more by hook or by crook. Rashid Waheed, a senior director, sees nothing wrong in being ambitious. He says, “I always target higher after I achieve something. If in the process I am sacrificing some aspects of life, it is with pleasure. I am addicted to my ambitions and see nothing wrong in it as I am not hurting anyone else."

Research Associate Najma Javaid clearly defines the disparity between the two. According to her, ambition is achieving your goals without taking from anyone else. Greed means that you are somehow misusing someone or taking from someone to accomplish your own agenda. Ambitious people have a plan and exert themselves through a disciplined work ethic to get there whereas a greedy person also has a plan but will pull strings, bend rules and even cheat or steal to get there.

For Uzma Malik, an MBA; an ambitious person is one who wants to do something worthwhile with his life. It could either mean achieving a higher post or fulfilling a long awaited wish. It is something to look forward to and it is something which keeps you going. It is all about setting higher goals. An ambitious person aims to reach a certain position or achieve a particular goal which may or may not necessarily be connected with money or power. It has more to do with the satisfactory feeling of a job well done. Without ambition you become stagnant like still water. No waves, no goals, no movement and no life. We should be smart enough to evaluate our strengths and limitations. Ambitious people are the ones who make the world go around and their goals pertain to personal growth and achievement. Thomas Edison had a burning desire which resulted into a glowing bulb. It was Mohammad Ali Jinnah's ambition to free his country which drove him to fight for freedom.

It is more about a sense of triumph or accomplishment. I just want to prove something of my own. I don't want to disapprove anyone else. I cannot stop myself from aiming for better things in life, for doing better in my job and personal life, for moving forward over a period of time. If this is greedy then be it.