Ego is a concept that, as with others, has its positive and negative sides. In this new entry we are going to evaluate why and how the ego can become an enemy. Each one of us faces this scenario many times.
These reflections are based on the interesting book by Ryan Holiday entitled “The ego is your enemy: Defeat your greatest adversary”.
Reflections on why and how the ego can become an enemy
The need to be better than someone or something, more than recognized, far beyond any reasonable utility, is the sense of superiority and certainty that exceeds the limits of confidence and talent.
If you start to believe in your greatness, it can be the death of your creativity.
When we eliminate the ego, we are left with what is real. What replaces ego is humility, yes, but unwavering humility and confidence. Always, the ego is artificial.
Even if we think big, we must act and live small to achieve what we seek.
Ego is a temptation for anyone: let words and exaggerations replace action.
Every fighter, to become great, needs to have someone better from whom he can learn, someone inferior whom he can teach, and someone equal against whom he can challenge.
The art of receiving feedback is a crucial life skill, particularly harsh and critical feedback.
What we humans need in our ascent is purpose and realism. You could say that purpose is like a passion with limits. Realism is detachment and perspective.
Purpose is about pursuing something outside of yourself, rather than giving pleasure to yourself.
When you want to do something, something big, important and meaningful, you will be subjected to treatment ranging from indifference to outright sabotage. Count on that.
We tend to think that ego equals confidence. But, in reality, it can have the opposite effect.
Get feedback, stay hungry and chart a proper course in life. Pride hinders everything.
As success comes, ego begins to play with our minds and weaken the will that made us win in the first place.
Ego tells you to cheat. Because you want what you have and what you don’t have.
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