scattered ambition

I heard this phrase in a film the other night. A good film - it was called "Personal Velocity". Very interesting film-making, a very atypical American film. Certainly not for everyone, but quite good.

But this phrase stuck out to me. It was in relation to one of the caharcters, explaining why their life was where it was. I just thought 'yep, that's me.'

Scattered ambition(s) - I've never been of those types that were highly and narrowly focussed. I've always been a try this and try that kind of guy. I've been good at every job I've ever had. I mean above average good. I have skills - there's no doubt about that. I learn quickly and I'm a good thinker and a hard worker. But I have scattered ambition... Sounds good doesn't it. Sounds like the title of a book, or the name of a rock band :)

I've always been careful not to become too ambitious, as I don't think it a very worthy quality, full of lusting and desire as it is. But maybe I haven't focussed quite enough, as a lack of ambition is also a dangerous attitude.

It begs the question though, doesn't it. To me it sounds like a criticism, as if ambition should not be scattered. I suppose that sounds right. If you are going to be ambitious, it makes more sense to narrowly focus those ambitions. But what about ambition? Is it a good thing, something that we should all accept and teach our children? I think the answer might be rather more complicated that most might think.