Balancing Ambition and Sustainability

In the modern world, the question of our attitude toward our own aspirations is becoming increasingly relevant. On one hand, reassessing the level of our demands can not only reduce the strain on natural resources but also create conditions for future generations. By limiting our consumption, we open up the possibility of sustainable societal development, creating a space where every drop of resources consumed matters. This approach helps to avoid overexploitation by turning each limitation into a conscious contribution to the common good.

At the same time, the pursuit of raising our expectations paves the way to a new level of life. It is a continuous forward movement, a search for modern forms of self-improvement, and a wealth of life experience that inspires personal growth and change. However, there is another side of the coin: an excessive immersion in one’s own “self” can lead to internal contradictions, an increase in egocentrism, and even a heightened anxiety about how we are perceived by others.

In conclusion, the choice between lowering and raising aspirations does not have a universal answer. If your goal is to contribute to environmental protection and ensure favorable conditions for future generations, it may be wiser to rethink and lower your demands. Conversely, if you strive for continuous self-improvement and an enhanced quality of life, then raising your aspirations will drive your progress despite potential psychological challenges. Each of us must make a choice, considering not only our personal ambitions but also our care for the planet and society.

Why might it be more advisable to lower one’s own level of aspirations instead of raising them, and what arguments support each of these options?

Lowering one’s level of aspirations may be more advisable if it helps to limit excessive resource consumption, contributes to sustainability by reducing environmental pressure, and creates favorable conditions for future generations. On the other hand, raising aspirations is associated with the constant pursuit of improvement and the enrichment of life with new benefits, which can promote personal growth, though it is often accompanied by negative psychological consequences.

On the one hand, the argument in favor of lowering aspirations is that by reducing one’s requirements, a person reduces consumption and thus decreases the load on natural resources. As noted:
"We are talking about forced asceticism. In order to reduce consumption, one must lower aspirations. But a person cannot restrict themselves in the present for the sake of future generations indefinitely. Communist asceticism, which was built on this very motivation, did not last long. Taking something away from a person necessitates giving something back in return." (source: link )

In addition, the ecological motive serves as a justification for changing the level of aspirations:
"This may be due to an ecological motive, since the current level of consumption and the poisoning of natural resources cannot be sustained for long." (source: link )

Moreover, rethinking the level of aspirations is seen as a necessary step for creating favorable conditions for future generations:
"It is a matter of reassessing the level of aspirations to create conditions for future generations." (source: link )

On the other hand, raising one’s level of aspirations reflects the desire to improve the quality of life, to enrich it with new benefits, and the pursuit of perfecting one’s existence. This approach implies active efforts to correct what is broken and to improve the current situation, as described here:
"Considering this difference, we recognize that there is activity aimed at correcting what has been spoiled or replacing that which has been exterminated or perished with something of equal value or maintaining the state of being at a usual level—and there is another kind of activity aimed at raising its level, enriching it with new benefits—in short, perfecting life in a narrower sense." (source: link )

However, one should also consider the downsides of such an approach. Raising aspirations may trigger an exaggerated focus on oneself, leading to egocentrism and excessive worry about the impression one makes on others:
"Increasing the awareness of one’s own experiences is often accompanied by an exaggerated attention to oneself, egocentrism, preoccupation with oneself, and concern about the impression the individual makes on others, which consequently leads to shyness. Shyness is the most typical 'disease' of youth." (source: link )

Furthermore, when there is a reorientation from external evaluation to an excessive reliance on self-esteem, it often gives rise to internal contradictions:
"The drawbacks of shifting from external evaluation to self-esteem give rise to internal contradictions in those who strive to raise the level of their aspirations." (source: link )

Thus, when choosing between lowering and raising aspirations, the following arguments can be highlighted:

• Lowering aspirations:
 – Allows for reduced consumption, which is especially relevant from an environmental perspective.
 – Leads to the creation of favorable conditions for future generations, yet requires compensation so that the limitation is not felt as deprivation but as an investment in the common good.
 – Presents an alternative to the ascetic approach, which, despite its noble intentions, does not always prove sustainable in the long run.

• Raising aspirations:
 – The drive to improve life and enrich it with new benefits fosters personal development and progress.
 – However, such an approach may lead to an excessive focus on oneself, resulting in egocentrism and even internal contradictions, particularly if it relies solely on subjective self-esteem.

In summary, the choice between lowering and raising aspirations depends on the goals set. If the primary focus is on reducing the negative impact on the environment and creating favorable conditions for the future, lowering one’s level of aspirations becomes more advisable. Conversely, if personal growth and an improved quality of life take precedence, then striving to raise one’s expectations is justified despite potential psychological risks.

Supporting citation(s):
"We are talking about forced asceticism. In order to reduce consumption, one must lower aspirations. But a person cannot restrict themselves in the present for the sake of future generations indefinitely. Communist asceticism, which was built on this very motivation, did not last long. Taking something away from a person necessitates giving something back in return." (source: link )

"Considering this difference, we recognize that there is activity aimed at correcting what has been spoiled or replacing that which has been exterminated or perished with something of equal value or maintaining the state of being at a usual level—and there is another kind of activity aimed at raising its level, enriching it with new benefits—in short, perfecting life in a narrower sense." (source: link )

"Increasing the awareness of one’s own experiences is often accompanied by an exaggerated attention to oneself, egocentrism, preoccupation with oneself, and concern about the impression the individual makes on others, which consequently leads to shyness. Shyness is the most typical 'disease' of youth." (source: link )

"The drawbacks of shifting from external evaluation to self-esteem give rise to internal contradictions in those who strive to raise the level of their aspirations." (source: link )