Navigating the Impact of the Ego
You’ve probably heard about the ego and its ability to gain control over your thoughts and emotions. “Is that you or your ego talking?” “Don’t let your ego get in your way.” But what is the ego, and does the impact of the ego stand in your way of living your best life?
At its very core, “ego” is the Latin word for “I.” It is the central core processing unit that examines all stimuli coming into your brain and decides what to think about it. The ego quickly analyzes millions of bits of data about what you see and hear, and from those comparisons, it creates thoughts, emotions, and beliefs about the world around you. Grand Canyon University describes the ego as this:
“Ego is the organized mediator between the person and their perception of, and adaptation to, reality. The ego is responsible for reality testing and one’s sense of personal identity. The ego is molded and groomed by our emotional responses (tacit and explicit) to social-environmental events we are exposed to.”
One of the primary roles of the ego within the human psyche is survival. It quickly assesses situations and strives to find ways to boost one’s being and self-interests above that of those around him. The ego is responsible for feelings of pride, confidence, and self-worth. It’s your ego talking when you see your neighbor’s beautifully manicured landscaping and think, “I’ll bet I could do even better.” In this manner, the ego is neither good nor bad; rather, it depends on how developed it is and how practiced a person is at managing it. In other words, are you listening to your ego, or is your ego driving your decisions?
Understanding the Impact of the Ego on Your Thoughts and Actions
People who allow their egos to control their thoughts and emotions tend to develop an unnecessary drive to compete against others. In these situations, the ego feels the best way to survive is to be the best, no matter the cost. The impact of the ego is unproductive and potentially damaging in the long run. This can look like many things:
- Being the most popular.
- Having the nicest office.
- Driving the snazziest car.
- Getting the promotion.
- Being in charge.
- Having the most talented kids.
- Being right.
- Winning an argument.
The problem with the ego is that it is not based on truth. It simply doesn’t care about the truth…it cares about being “better” than the alternative. People who allow their egos to fill their thoughts live with feelings of self-consciousness, bitterness, anxiety, stress, and anger.
The antithesis of ego is consciousness. Once you can identify the thoughts in your head as coming from the ego and set them aside, you begin to move towards understanding your authentic self. Your authentic self is who you really are: your true personality, values, and spirit. It’s who you are inside when there is no pressure or persuasion coming from your ego. You sense your authentic self when you are honest with yourself, take responsibility for your words and actions, and accept your strengths and weaknesses for what they are. When you are listening to your authentic self, you are able to align your behaviors with your purpose and values.
Eckhart Tolle, acclaimed author, has this sage advice:
“See if you can catch, that is to say, notice, the voice in the head, perhaps in the very moment it complains about something, and recognize it for what it is: the voice of the ego, no more than a conditioned mind-pattern, a thought. Whenever you notice that voice, you will also realize that you are not the voice, but the one who is aware of it.”
At this stage, it’s possible to listen to the ego and keep a clear perspective. For example, you may still desire to be correct, but you are aware there are many perspectives to consider, and listening to all of them will help you solidify your opinion or shape your knowledge. The authentic self and a mature ego are seen in behaviors like:
- Having a growth mindset.
- Setting goals and working hard to achieve them.
- Being self-motivated and recognizing others’ achievements.
- Encouraging collaboration.
- Asking for feedback and receiving it graciously.
Is it time to start living your authentic life?
At Earth and Soul Adventures, we help participants break free of habitual thoughts governed by the ego to realize their authentic selves. Physically transporting oneself from our daily environments at home and work to become immersed in nature gives our minds the escape from comparison-based stimuli to hear our authentic voices. Participating in activities that take us out of our comfort zones puts us in a position to fully realize our strengths and safely experience our weaknesses. Our programs guide participants to understand their purpose, identify ego-led thoughts and biases, and allow their authentic voices to take over in a state of complete consciousness. If you know in your heart there’s more to life than what you’re currently experiencing, contact Earth and Soul Adventures to join us on our next transformative travel opportunity.