I have an ego. Is this really a bad thing?
There is nothing wrong with having an ego and feeling important. Although the word ego is often misunderstood to be negative, it also has some positive aspects.
I would be pointing out the positive aspects as well as the negatives.
Your ego isn’t as bad as people think. Your ego can be your greatest asset or your worst enemy. The choice is yours. How you use it is totally dependent on you.
Your ego can help you get through tough situations. Since your ego is your identity, the way you view yourself is important. When the weight of the world is on your shoulders, only your ego can help you get back up. Sometimes encouragement from others won't do the trick. Only you can encourage and pull yourself out of that situation. Remind yourself you can't give up at this point because there are better days ahead. This will propel you towards success and happiness.
David Ly Khim likened the ego as a reserve that should be used, replenished, and depleted. Think of it like rationing water for survival. If you’re stranded in the desert with one gallon of water, you shouldn’t drink it all at once. You should drink it when you need to. Likewise, use your ego when you need to.
We all get scared sometimes. Fear of failure, disappointment, future etc. For me, I have a fear of public speaking (Glossophobia). I doubt myself because I want to avoid the possibility of failure. I sometimes remind myself that I might not get that opportunity again. I use my ego to remind myself of my capabilities. I can do amazing things to change the world.
However, ego needs to be regulated. If not properly regulated, it can be self destructive. A big ego isn't always better. It can make you overestimate your own abilities and worth. Overconfidence kills because you tend to under-estimate the effort and skill required to achieve your goals.
Ryan Holiday is a marketing executive, writer, and speaker with important insights into how ego can trip you up.
In his book, "Ego is the Enemy," Holiday discusses the dangers of getting too caught up in the stories we tell ourselves about how fantastic we are and the adverse side effects of this.
Using his own life for an example, he describes how he realized that he was so dedicated to his work that if he didn't slow down, he was going to work himself into an early grave. This was a result of buying into the story he had been telling himself about himself.
Do what makes you happy. Explore, take risks, do something you are afraid of daily. It will help you discover your true self. Remember successful people have egos so ego isn't a bad thing. Have control of your ego. Know when to use it and when not to. Grow your ego but always keep it in check.