Why Ambitious and Lazy Wins: The Hidden Formula Behind High Performers

Let’s shatter a myth.

Success isn’t reserved for the smartest person in the room. It’s rarely the one with the longest resume, the most degrees, or the perfect plan. In fact, according to career coach Rishon Blumberg—who works with some of the top Fortune 500 leaders, billionaires, and politicians—the most successful people aren’t super-geniuses. They’re ambitious… and lazy.

Wait—lazy?

Yep. And once you understand what that really means, you might just breathe a sigh of relief.

Let’s unpack it.

Ambition Drives the Vision

High performers are dreamers with a bias for action. They see a better way, a higher goal, a new standard—and they go after it. That’s the ambition part.

But the lazy part? That’s where the magic happens.

We’re not talking about couch-potato lazy. We’re talking about strategic laziness. Efficient laziness. The kind that asks, “How can I get maximum results with minimum waste?” These people delegate. They automate. They systemize. They cut the fluff and zero in on what actually moves the needle.

They’re not interested in working 80-hour weeks just to say they did. They’re interested in building a machine that works even when they don’t.

The Smartest Often Get Stuck

The “smart” crowd? Sometimes they overthink. They get stuck in analysis. They seek perfection. And perfection is a prison.

Ambitious-lazy achievers? They hit publish. They ship the product. They launch before it’s ready and fix it on the fly. They’re not obsessed with doing it the right way—they’re obsessed with getting it done.

And here’s the kicker: that mindset builds momentum. And momentum beats IQ every day of the week.

The Real Key: Return on Effort

At the Chamber, we talk a lot about ROI—but here’s one more metric you need to track: ROE—Return on Effort.

Are you doing what only you can do? Are you using your energy where it counts? Or are you drowning in busywork and calling it productivity?

Success isn’t about grinding harder. It’s about building smarter.

So What Can You Learn from This?

1. Stop aiming for perfect. Aim for done, aim for progress, aim for learning.

2. Be lazy in the right way. If something can be automated, delegated, or eliminated—do it.

3. Get crystal clear on the goal. Ambition without direction is just chaos.

4. Focus on leverage. Small actions, big outcomes. That’s the name of the game.

Final Thought:

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, maybe it’s time to stop trying to be the smartest—and start being the most efficient. Be the one who sees the mountain and says, “I’m not climbing that thing—I’ll build a lift.”

Because that’s what the real high performers are doing.

And if you’re a small business owner reading this—yes, you too can build your own lift. You just need the right systems, strategy, and a little ambition-fueled laziness.

Want to learn how to work smarter, not harder? We’ve got tools, workshops, and one-on-one strategy sessions to help you build that lift. Reach out today—let’s climb higher, together.