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Ego & Self awareness
Ego is a complex psychological construct that plays a major role in shaping our lives and relationships around us. Ego can lead a person to negative consequences, such as arrogance, selfishness and defensiveness over wrong behaviors that can lead you to dangerous and unhappy situations in life.
Self-awareness is the ability to understand and recognize our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, as well as their impact on ourselves and on others that are around us. Self-awareness is a critical aspect of personal and professional growth, as it allows individuals to better understand themselves which allows them to make informed decisions, and lead more fulfilling lives in this eco system.
Hence, being self-aware of our ego and ego triggers is an essential aspect of personal growth and development.
Let's see what we can do about our ego problems in the most simple way.
1. Identify your ego triggers
An ego trigger is any situation that triggers your ego and causes you to react in a defensive or selfish manner. These triggers can vary from person to person, but some common examples include criticism, rejection, comparison, and control etc.
Criticism:
When someone criticizes our work or behavior, it can trigger our ego and immediately make us wanna talk back in a defensive manner. We tend to dismiss the fact that we are only getting a feedback as a criticism. We try to insult or disrespect the person immediately as a defense mechanism.
Rejection:
When someone rejects us, whether it's in a personal or professional context, it can trigger our ego and make us feel insecure, unworthy, or used. We immediately go into defence mode and start attacking or avenging the person for not choosing us over someone or something else.
Comparison:
When a person tries compare us to someone else and make them feel superior, it can trigger our ego and make us feel envious or arrogant. We react to this situation immediately and start hating the person and start making decisive comments on how that is not possible. We have a hard time accepting another persons excellence.
Control:
When we feel like we are losing control or power in a situation, it can trigger our ego and make us feel anxious, threatened, or defensive. And immediately we react to it by trying anything to gain the control back which even might harm the other person in a bad manner.
And because of all these said and usnsaid reasons, we have to be self-aware of our ego triggers, pay attention to your emotional reactions in different situations and try to identify the underlying causes of our feelings.
Each of these situations and our immediate reactions are ego driven triggers and are mostly unnecessary reactions which can put us in difficult, embarrassing and regretful situations.
2. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the moment. It can help you become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, as well as your ego triggers.
Becoming mindful of these little ego triggers can help us identify them when they arise, and respond in a more grounded and intentional way rather than rash regretful manners.
Notice your physical sensations:
When you feel triggered, your body may respond in specific ways. You may feel a tightness in your chest or a knot in your stomach, your heart rate may increase, you may get emotionally angry or you may start to sweat. Pay attention to these physical sensations and use them as signals to help you recognize when you are feeling triggered.
Pause and breathe:
When you feel triggered, take a moment to pause and take a few deep breaths. This can help you to slow down and regulate your emotions, giving you space to respond in a more intentional way.
Question your assumptions:
Ego triggers are often based on assumptions we make about ourselves and others. When you feel triggered, question your assumptions and try to see the situation from a different perspective. This can help you to recognize when your ego is getting in the way of your ability to respond effectively.
Practice self-compassion:
Ego triggers can be painful, but it's important to be kind and compassionate with yourself. Recognize that everyone has ego triggers, and that they are a normal part of being human. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a close friend who was struggling. Tell yourself that it is ok to feel ego but getting out of it is the real deal.
3. Practice humility
Humility encourages you to temper ego by helping you recognize your limitations, being open to feedback and learning to respect and acknowledge the contributions of other human beings.
Practicing humility can help you overcome your ego-driven tendencies and become more self-aware of your actions and their impact on others around you.
Humility encourages learning and growth:
When we approach life with humility, we recognize that we don't have all the answers and that there is always more to learn. This openness to new ideas and perspectives can help us to expand our knowledge and skills, and ultimately grow as individuals.
Fosters empathy and compassion:
Humility helps us to recognize that we are not the center of the universe, and that other people's experiences and feelings are just as valid as our own. This can foster empathy and compassion, helping us to connect more deeply with others and build stronger relationships.
Reduces defensiveness:
The ego can be defensive and protective of itself, but humility can help us to let go of the need to be right or perfect. When we are humble, we are more willing to admit our mistakes and shortcomings, and less likely to feel threatened by criticism or feedback.
Encourages collaboration:
Humility can also help us to work more effectively with others. When we are humble, we are more likely to listen to others' ideas, acknowledge their contributions, and work collaboratively towards shared goals.
Being self-aware of your ego and ego triggers is a crucial aspect of personal growth and development. By identifying your ego triggers, practicing mindfulness, and practicing humility, you can cultivate a more authentic and fulfilling sense of self, and build stronger, healthier relationships with other around you.
How ever, developing self-awareness can be challenging, as it requires individuals to be honest and reflective about themselves and their behaviors. But there are different techniques and strategies that can help individuals increase their self-awareness, such as journaling, mindfulness practices and many more which i will share with a different article soon enough.
© Arya-nada
Self-awareness is the ability to understand and recognize our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, as well as their impact on ourselves and on others that are around us. Self-awareness is a critical aspect of personal and professional growth, as it allows individuals to better understand themselves which allows them to make informed decisions, and lead more fulfilling lives in this eco system.
Hence, being self-aware of our ego and ego triggers is an essential aspect of personal growth and development.
Let's see what we can do about our ego problems in the most simple way.
1. Identify your ego triggers
An ego trigger is any situation that triggers your ego and causes you to react in a defensive or selfish manner. These triggers can vary from person to person, but some common examples include criticism, rejection, comparison, and control etc.
Criticism:
When someone criticizes our work or behavior, it can trigger our ego and immediately make us wanna talk back in a defensive manner. We tend to dismiss the fact that we are only getting a feedback as a criticism. We try to insult or disrespect the person immediately as a defense mechanism.
Rejection:
When someone rejects us, whether it's in a personal or professional context, it can trigger our ego and make us feel insecure, unworthy, or used. We immediately go into defence mode and start attacking or avenging the person for not choosing us over someone or something else.
Comparison:
When a person tries compare us to someone else and make them feel superior, it can trigger our ego and make us feel envious or arrogant. We react to this situation immediately and start hating the person and start making decisive comments on how that is not possible. We have a hard time accepting another persons excellence.
Control:
When we feel like we are losing control or power in a situation, it can trigger our ego and make us feel anxious, threatened, or defensive. And immediately we react to it by trying anything to gain the control back which even might harm the other person in a bad manner.
And because of all these said and usnsaid reasons, we have to be self-aware of our ego triggers, pay attention to your emotional reactions in different situations and try to identify the underlying causes of our feelings.
Each of these situations and our immediate reactions are ego driven triggers and are mostly unnecessary reactions which can put us in difficult, embarrassing and regretful situations.
2. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the moment. It can help you become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, as well as your ego triggers.
Becoming mindful of these little ego triggers can help us identify them when they arise, and respond in a more grounded and intentional way rather than rash regretful manners.
Notice your physical sensations:
When you feel triggered, your body may respond in specific ways. You may feel a tightness in your chest or a knot in your stomach, your heart rate may increase, you may get emotionally angry or you may start to sweat. Pay attention to these physical sensations and use them as signals to help you recognize when you are feeling triggered.
Pause and breathe:
When you feel triggered, take a moment to pause and take a few deep breaths. This can help you to slow down and regulate your emotions, giving you space to respond in a more intentional way.
Question your assumptions:
Ego triggers are often based on assumptions we make about ourselves and others. When you feel triggered, question your assumptions and try to see the situation from a different perspective. This can help you to recognize when your ego is getting in the way of your ability to respond effectively.
Practice self-compassion:
Ego triggers can be painful, but it's important to be kind and compassionate with yourself. Recognize that everyone has ego triggers, and that they are a normal part of being human. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a close friend who was struggling. Tell yourself that it is ok to feel ego but getting out of it is the real deal.
3. Practice humility
Humility encourages you to temper ego by helping you recognize your limitations, being open to feedback and learning to respect and acknowledge the contributions of other human beings.
Practicing humility can help you overcome your ego-driven tendencies and become more self-aware of your actions and their impact on others around you.
Humility encourages learning and growth:
When we approach life with humility, we recognize that we don't have all the answers and that there is always more to learn. This openness to new ideas and perspectives can help us to expand our knowledge and skills, and ultimately grow as individuals.
Fosters empathy and compassion:
Humility helps us to recognize that we are not the center of the universe, and that other people's experiences and feelings are just as valid as our own. This can foster empathy and compassion, helping us to connect more deeply with others and build stronger relationships.
Reduces defensiveness:
The ego can be defensive and protective of itself, but humility can help us to let go of the need to be right or perfect. When we are humble, we are more willing to admit our mistakes and shortcomings, and less likely to feel threatened by criticism or feedback.
Encourages collaboration:
Humility can also help us to work more effectively with others. When we are humble, we are more likely to listen to others' ideas, acknowledge their contributions, and work collaboratively towards shared goals.
Being self-aware of your ego and ego triggers is a crucial aspect of personal growth and development. By identifying your ego triggers, practicing mindfulness, and practicing humility, you can cultivate a more authentic and fulfilling sense of self, and build stronger, healthier relationships with other around you.
How ever, developing self-awareness can be challenging, as it requires individuals to be honest and reflective about themselves and their behaviors. But there are different techniques and strategies that can help individuals increase their self-awareness, such as journaling, mindfulness practices and many more which i will share with a different article soon enough.
© Arya-nada
