"Ego is the unobserved mind that runs your life when you are not present as the witnessing consciousness, the watcher." - Eckhart Tolle
Pregame Prep (today's overview)
I expected a whole bunch of external challenges and hurdles from others on my journey to find personal freedom and success, but what shocked me the most was that one of my biggest roadblocks came from within – my own ego. Here's the thing, the ego loves to mess with us. It twists our perceptions, clouds our judgment, puts a stop to our growth, and keeps us from reaching our full potential. In this post, I dive into how the ego got in the way of my path to freedom and I share some strategies for keeping ego in check while building your playbook to freedom.
Film Review (my experience)
For a long time, I let my ego rule nearly all of my decisions, and I didn't even know it had control over me. I thought that being right was the most important thing, and I'd go all out to prove it to everyone around me. This mindset impacted pretty much every part of my life, from my crazy high-stress job to my relationships with friends and family. The best part, upon reflection is how many times I was actually not right at all, but I was convinced I was. I had become a prisoner to my own ego, stuck in its grip because I didn't even realize it had me!
As I started working on myself, I began to see the destructive power of my own ego. To put it simply, my ego was the biggest thing standing between me and genuine happiness, success, and freedom. I came to understand that my constant need to be right was stopping me from learning, growing, and ultimately achieving my dreams.
Once I saw the truth about my ego, things started changing. I made the decision to leave my corporate job and chase my passions. This leap of faith meant I had to let go of the ego-driven belief that I had everything figured out and, instead, once I embraced the idea that there was still so much to learn. I threw myself into personal growth and self-improvement, sought out mentors, and dove into new experiences. That's when I started developing the Playbook to Freedom.
As I built my own playbook, I found a new sense of purpose and fulfillment that I'd been missing for so long. I started to see that by letting go of my ego, I could finally chase my dreams with the clarity, focus, and determination I needed to succeed. The need to be right was replaced by a desire to learn, grow, and make a difference in the world. I found happiness, success, and, most importantly, the freedom to be my true self, free from the weight of ego. By sharing my journey, I hope to inspire others to spot the enemy within and embrace the path to freedom.
The ego actually hijacks our brains: Dr. Daniel Goleman, the author of "Emotional Intelligence," explains that when our ego takes over, it triggers our amygdala, the part of our brain responsible for the fight-or-flight response. This reaction can cloud our judgment and make us act impulsively, often leading to regrettable decisions. Recognizing these moments can help us better manage our ego and make more rational choices.
Warren Buffett, emphasized the importance of controlling one's ego. He said: "It's very important to have the right framework. You need to have an approach to decision-making that is sound." This approach includes recognizing the ego's influence and actively working to minimize it. By learning from these experts and adopting their strategies, we better navigate the challenges that our ego presents and achieve greater success in our lives.
Offensive Game Plan (actions to obtain freedom)
Recognize when your ego has control: Understand the role of ego in your decisions and identify when your ego is taking over. Stay present and focus on reality, ask yourself if your ego is making the decisions. Focus on growth over validation: Redirect your attention from pursuing external validation to prioritizing personal growth. Adopt a growth mindset, which entails viewing challenges as opportunities to learn and develop new skills. Foster gratitude: Gratitude helps diminish the influence of ego. I write about this every week, but by acknowledging the individuals and circumstances that have contributed to your accomplishments, you remind yourself that you are not the sole architect of your success. This helps keep your ego in check.
Defensive Game Plan (actions to defend your freedom)
Reflect on your behavior: pinpoint instances where ego has interfered, and comprehend how it may have impeded your progress. This is not meant to beat yourself up over past decisions, just determine if your choices were driven by ego and explore how you can modify your approach in the future. Accepting your ego's existence allows you to manage it effectively. Embrace Failures: Start thinking of failures and mistakes as learning opportunities. It might sound silly, but it’s really true. If you aren’t trying, you aren’t making progress, Mistakes and failures are a normal part of growth. Amit that you don't possess all the answers: there is always something to learn from others. Be receptive to feedback and prepared to change your perspective in light of new information. Remember Open minds opens doors.
Post-Game Review (key takeaway)
Our ego is a sneaky roadblock on our journey to personal freedom. It messes with our ability to live our best lives and achieve our wildest dreams. But we can totally take control of it! By embracing humility, seeking different viewpoints, and focusing on personal growth, we can kick ego to the curb and unlock the door to true freedom.
As you're building your Playbook to Freedom, remember that freedom isn't just about financial success. It's also about building a mindset that encourages growth, learning, and prosperity. By taming your ego and embracing a growth mindset, you'll be paving the way for the incredible life you've always imagined. And that, my friend, is the sweet taste of freedom!
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