By Jenny Tinmouth
06/02/2021
“The ego is only an illusion, but a very influential one. Letting the ego-illusion become your identity can prevent you from knowing your true self.” – Wayne Dyer
Understanding the Development and Impact of Egos
“The ego is only an illusion, but a very influential one. Letting the ego illusion become your identity can prevent you from knowing your true self.” – Wayne Dyer
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, “Ego is the idea or opinion of yourself, especially the level of your ability and intelligence and your importance as a person.”
In other words, our idea or opinion of ourselves, particularly our perception of our importance and abilities.
The ego is a concept of our identity, shaping our sense of self-worth and reinforcing our self-image. In the past, our identity was influenced by our place within the tribe and evolved in response to environmental demands. In our modern individualistic culture, we are left to define who we are and how we fit in.
Egos are created through biased opinions about our abilities, character, and personality. As the ego amplifies our self-worth, it distorts our perspectives. Problems arise when our self-perception is inaccurate, whether overly optimistic or pessimistic.
Understanding How Egos Operate
As part of a defence mechanism, the ego perceives constant threats, leading to an attack-and-defend mentality, always seeking an advantage. This aspect plays a role in our judgment of others, allowing us to feel superior and boosting our ego's sense of self-worth.
A well-managed ego can boost confidence, encourage risk-taking, and foster creativity while building self-esteem and setting personal boundaries. However, an overactive ego can drive a need to be correct at all costs, a desire to impress, and an increase in aggression or overwhelming anxiety. Such thoughts and behaviours affect our interactions with others. Balancing our ego is crucial, as it arises from fear and defensiveness.
Striving for Balance
Understanding our ego helps us learn how to manage it effectively. Developing self-awareness is valuable, allowing us to assess our role in society. A well-managed ego can serve as a tool for interacting with the world, acknowledging that we are all part of the game of life. However, a self-centred ego uses our interests as the sole point of reference, creating a sense of separation from others and hindering our ability to empathise with their perspectives.
Using Reflection as a Tool
By using a process of reflection, we can cultivate awareness of our ego's patterns and trends. Whenever we sense our ego entering the room, we can ask ourselves:
At what point did my ego step in?
What point was I trying to make or prove?
What listening style did I choose?
In Summary
Egos are an integral part of our identity, encompassing positive and negative aspects. Our daily challenge lies in how we handle our egos. A healthy ego is essential for success in life, enabling us to believe in ourselves and our worth. It empowers us to engage with others, listen to their views, and find balance while staying true to our values and convictions. By transforming our worst enemy into our greatest resource, we can nurture a healthier and more harmonious relationship with ourselves and those around us.
"The volume of the ego is turned down so that it might listen to others as well as the self in an effort to approach life more humanely and compassionately."
Jack Buaer, Heidi Wyment, Kateryn Sylaska
This article is for information purposes only and should not be treated as a professional opinion or advice. The content is not guaranteed to be complete, current, accurate, or error-free and is not offered as a substitute for professional advice. By reading this blog, you acknowledge and agree that any actions you take based on the provided information or channels are executed at your own risk.