Return on Ambition by Nicolai Chen Nielsen and Nicolai Tillisch Summary
Overview of Return on Ambition
"Return on Ambition" revolutionizes success by balancing achievement with well-being. McKinsey veterans reveal the "Seven Frenemies" sabotaging your potential. Can your ambition be both your superpower and downfall? Discover why top executives call this framework essential for sustainable success.
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Introduction: The Ambitious Paradox
Welcome to "Return on Ambition." I'm Nicolai Chen Nielsen, and along with my co-author Nicolai Tillisch, we've embarked on a journey to help ambitious individuals like yourself achieve success without sacrificing fulfillment or personal growth. As someone who has worked with McKinsey & Company and advised numerous Fortune 500 companies, I've seen firsthand the struggles that ambitious people face. Let's start with a question: Have you ever felt that your ambition is both your greatest asset and your biggest obstacle? If so, you're not alone. Many high-achievers find themselves caught in what we call the "ambitious paradox" - a state where the very drive that propels them forward also threatens to derail their success and well-being. In this book, we'll explore a new approach to ambition, one that balances achievement, personal growth, and well-being. We call this the "Return on Ambition" - a holistic measure of success that goes beyond traditional metrics.
Part 1: Understanding Your Ambition
Part 2: The Trinity of Achievement, Growth, and Well-Being
Part 3: The Seven Frenemies of Ambition
Part 4: The Return on Ambition Toolbox
Part 5: Putting It All Together - The Self-Coaching Sessions
Conclusion: Your Return on Ambition
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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