Article 5: EGO – To Grow you got to let it GO!

In today's fast-paced and competitive world, ego often takes centre stage, hindering personal and professional growth. Nothing more and nothing less!!!!? However, by understanding its origins, recognizing its physical manifestations, and taking conscious steps to diminish its negative effects, we can break free from its grip and experience authentic happiness. When I say authentic I mean real and raw, not la la land stuff.?

This article explores the impact of ego on our lives, the importance of collaboration, and shares a personal experience that highlights the transformative power of letting go of our ego!

Ego serves as a means of self-preservation, protecting ourselves from potential harm but it can also be very harmful. Ego, especially in the workplace, often leads to defensiveness and negative consequences for everyone around us and especially ourselves. Recognising the physical signs of ego manifestation, such as your chest rising, the feeling of your blood boiling and shortness of breath for example allows you to physically know that your ego is at play.? You are losing the battle of – Me vs Ego.? Just like recognizing the symptoms of a cold and taking something for it before you get the nasty flu, so can we use these physical ego sympton’s to empower us to respond rather than to react by becoming the masters of our ego.

The source of our ego can often be traced back to childhood trauma or a sense of superiority that accompanies rising to a position of power. Childhood trauma often leads to ego as a defense mechanism driven by fear and anxiety and in adulthood can also be as a result of fear.? On the other hand, feeling invincible or better than others can fuel ego-driven behaviour. ?Grounding ourselves in reality by interacting with individuals facing daily battles or connecting with your blue collar workers and very importantly acknowledging the root causes of our ego are crucial steps towards personal growth.

We can help ourselves by seeking self-improvement resources, such as podcasts, creating new habits, self-talk, pausing, life coaching, volunteering at a charity, getting in touch with a Higher Being and reading books on the subject matter for example, all of this can provide valuable insights on how to work on letting your ego go so that you can grow!

However, the first step is admitting to the presence of ego and committing to its reduction. By doing so, we can improve relationships, friendships, and overall life satisfaction, especially when we have the power to make a difference. ?The problem is that most people with an ego has probably stopped reading by now. Denial is a much more comfortable place to be and stay.

My personal experience only a few months ago by climbing Kilimanjaro highlights the transformative power of letting go of my ego. Overwhelmed with emotion at the end of Day 3, I questioned my ability to reach the summit. In that moment, I realized I couldn't do it alone, although I wanted to believe I could so that I could receive the accolades of this achievement alone. But I knew I had to rely on God to guide me.? This mountain and the possible things that could go wrong of which I had no control was out of my control.? However, I could control my efforts and most importantly my thoughts while trusting Him to determine the outcome.? This moment of clarity shattered the illusion that I alone could conquer the mountain. On the morning of Day 4 I coincidently listened to a short podcast by Deepak Chopra where he mentions the acronym - EGO "Etching God Out”.? How “funny” that I received “that” message the following day! I think someone was trying to tell me something ??

I truly believe success in the workplace hinges on collaboration rather than individual prowess. Even the smartest individuals cannot achieve everything alone. Recognizing this truth, individuals with egos can transform into impactful leaders by embracing collaboration, sharing growth, and making a difference. Failure to acknowledge the importance of collaboration leads to hindered growth, damaged relationships, and missed opportunities for authentic happiness.

Letting go of our egos is a transformative journey that leads to personal and professional growth but thinking from a much higher level in the brain. By understanding its origins, recognizing its physical manifestations, and utilizing tools to diminish its negative effects, we can break free from the ego's grip. Collaboration becomes the cornerstone of success, and individuals who embrace this principle become changemakers, utilizing their gifts, talents, and power to create positive change.

Letting go of ego allows us to experience unconditional internal happiness and connect with our true selves.? I wish that for you, as I do for me, because to do this means power and abundance beyond what we think we are capable of.? ?

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