Before we can discuss how to get rid of ego, it is necessary to understand what is meant by ego. Put very simply, ego is the sum of all the beliefs and experiences that combine to define the way a person leads their life.
Most people accept the way they are, and don’t question why they think of themselves as, for example, vain or unintelligent. Most people accept that they are what they are. Often this means that they go through life not achieving their potential, not believing that they can succeed or not attempting something they think they are unable to do. Ego can crush ambition and destroy success.
Understanding that our ego is our identity, and shapes not only how we see ourselves but also how others see us, is the first step to ridding ourselves of ego. The elements that have created our ego can prevent us from knowing ourselves and hold us back when we seek to achieve a goal or attain a dream.
We can see our ego as a little internal voice that speaks to us of fear, anxiety, and judgment – both of ourselves and others. The nagging doubts that your ego presents to you can hold you back, making you fearful for the future, doubting your ability to do anything at all, and giving you a feeling of inadequacy.
The trick is to quieten that voice, so it disappears from the front of your mind. Here are five ways that will show you how to get rid of ego.
1. Avoid being offended.
It is very easy to find opportunities to be offended. Seeking out reasons to be offended is not a desirable mindset as it will cause you to waste energy and thinking time anticipating confrontation.
Do not allow your ego to whisper destructive thoughts to you as you go through life. Being constantly offended by the small things that we encounter every day takes your attention away from the bigger picture.
2. Lose the need to win and to be always right.
Do not confuse the need to win with the need to be successful. The urge to win every confrontation and to always be right is quite different. Winning petty battles will mean you are ever in a state of competition, and that prevents you from stepping back and assessing the consequences of your actions. You will not be able to take a cool, calm overview, which is essential to achieving your aims.
Being urged on by your ego to be right and to win in every situation is destructive. The need to be right every time leads to unpopularity and others having a negative view of you. This will hold you back when you need the help and co-operation of others to achieve your goals.
3. Stop feeling superior.
Feelings of superiority are also destructive. Relationships, whether personal or professional, can easily be ruined if you consider yourself superior. No one is superior to anyone else on Earth. You may be better paid or more successful, but that doesn’t make you a superior human being. For example, is a wealthy banker a more superior person than a lower-paid nurse?
You will soon alienate others if you adopt an attitude of superiority. This will lead to you being resented and eventually ignored. Life is much less enjoyable when you are an outsider.
4. Lose the need for more.
Learn to be satisfied with what you have. On the road to success and a fulfilling life, remember that you will have enough for your needs at every stage. The constant push to get more can be exhausting and will affect your ability to make progress.
Do not give in to your ego’s need for more. Lead a simpler life, and you will find it brings greater contentment and a feeling of achievement. The pressure will be off you, and you will progress far more easily towards your goal.
5. Stop coveting accomplishments.
Just as losing the need for more is a desirable aim, so is losing the need for accomplishments. It is the need that is destructive, as having an over-riding need for something puts unnecessary pressure on you. Taking away that pressure will make achieving a goal a pleasurable activity. You will be happier and more likely to make meaningful progress.
Conclusion
Getting rid of your ego, therefore, is something that you can achieve by altering your approach to life. Lead a simpler, calmer, less demanding life, with less pressure on yourself to perform, and you will find that you now face less of a struggle.
Without your ego making demands of you, you will become a more pleasant, accessible, and easy-going character with an enviable reputation. The rat race will be a thing of the past.
