In 2021, leave your ego behind by using these 5 simple and effective tips

From wrecking relationships to losing out on professional opportunities – our ego can cost us a lot of things. Some people use it like a defense mechanism, while others do it to prove a point. But the biggest question is: what is ego all about and can we really tame this emotion?

Thankfully, according to a psychiatrist, ego can be handled. But you have to be very careful. You know why? Because it is not a disease that can be treated overnight by some antibiotic. It’s an emotion that requires effort every single day. If not properly managed, it can suck you right in. And that’s why you need to understand everything about it, before you conquer it. 

Ego is our biggest weakness, says Dr Anand

While giving inputs, ace psychiatrist, Dr Sonal Anand, psychiatrist, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai, quoted the famous psychoanalytic theory proposed by Dr Sigmund Freud. She talked about the three important components of human nature: Id, ego, and superego. She asserts how the complex interplay of the three gives us our personalities.

“The ego is related to self-worth, and harnesses many emotions and outcomes of relationships. The ego can give us distorted thoughts of self-pompousness and make us look down upon others. It gives feelings of insecurity, and we spend a lot of time developing techniques of self-defense. Having ego issues can prevent us from growing and developing good relationships. It causes us to live in an illusion and not discover the real person inside. It keeps us away from new cognitions, and hinders growth. Sometimes, it gives us unrealistic expectations. It can make us loners and make life stressful, explains Dr Anand.

Here are five ways to keep your ego in check:

1. By developing empathy

Recognising the efforts put in by others, and respecting their point of view can help in better outcomes. Sometimes, you should put yourself in other people’s shoes and see how the situation is.

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2. By developing a sense of gratitude

Of course, you won’t learn it in a day or two, but you have to start from somewhere. So, do this. Make a gratitude diary and every single day, write two things you are grateful for. It will make you realise how much we take for granted.

3. Handle criticism with a goal of self-development

That’s where we lack the most. If this is sorted, then most of our things will be on track. Criticism is sometimes required, and can be a big motivator. Learn to take criticism without doubting yourself, and use it to improve the task at hand.

4. Learn to use time well

Self-development and time management can help with ego issues. Make sure to spend time wisely on positive things. Spend time in nature, it will make you realise how vast the earth is.

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5. Be effort-oriented

Results are not always in our hands, but efforts always are. Put more focus into efforts. We cannot control everything in our lives.

So, before you step into another year, burst that bubble of ego and don’t let it come between you and your success.