How to suspend your ego!
"Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less." - C.S. Lewis
We have all been there.
That moment is when our ego takes over, and we start acting like we're the centre of the universe. It's easy to get caught up in our own importance, but the truth is, suspending your ego can be one of the most valuable things you can do for yourself and those around you.
So why should we suspend your ego?
Improved relationships: When you suspend your ego, you become more approachable and easier to work with. People are more likely to collaborate with someone who isn't constantly trying to prove their superiority.
Greater learning opportunities: By setting your ego aside, you open yourself to new ideas and perspectives. You become more receptive to feedback and criticism, which can help you grow and improve.
Enhanced decision-making: When your ego isn't in the way, you can make more fact-based decisions rather than ones that are biassed or driven by personal desires.
Richard Feynman once said, "The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool."
How to Suspend Your Ego
Practice active listening: Instead of waiting for your turn to speak, focus on genuinely hearing and understanding what others are saying. Ask questions and seek clarification when needed.
Embrace humility: Recognise that you don't have all the answers and that there's always more to learn. Be willing to admit when you're wrong or when you don't know something.
Seek feedback: Actively solicit feedback from others and be open to constructive criticism. Use it as an opportunity to learn and grow rather than become defensive.
Focus on the task: Instead of worrying about how you'll be perceived or whether you'll get credit, focus on doing your best work and contributing to the overall goal.
Celebrate others' successes: When someone else achieves something great, celebrate their success genuinely. Recognising others' accomplishments doesn't diminish your own.
"Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less." - C.S. Lewis
Reading this isn’t enough; if I were to suggest to you how to use it, here are some examples:
In a team project, instead of trying to take the lead on everything, step back and let others contribute their ideas and expertise. The creative solutions they come up with might surprise you.
When receiving feedback on your work, resist the urge to defend yourself or make excuses. Listen carefully to the feedback, ask for specific examples or suggestions, and use it to improve your work going forward.
If a coworker or friend accomplishes something significant, take the time to congratulate them sincerely. Share in their joy and let them know that you value their success.
The Benefits of a Suspended Ego :
When you suspend your ego, you create space for genuine connection, growth, and success. You become more approachable, more open to new ideas, and better able to work collaboratively towards common goals.
Research has shown that leaders with high levels of humility tend to have more engaged and committed employees and better overall company performance (Ou et al., 2014).
Furthermore, a study by Park et al. (2016) found that intellectual humility – the willingness to recognise the limits of one's knowledge and be open to new ideas – is associated with greater academic achievement, creativity, and open-mindedness.
Suspending your ego isn't always easy, but it's a skill worth cultivating.
As Ryan Holiday writes in his book "Ego is the Enemy," "Impressing people is utterly different from being truly impressive."
The next time you feel your ego taking over, take a step back and remind yourself of the value of humility. Your colleagues, friends and even your future self will thank you.
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