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Check Your Ego
Plus: VR vs prejudice + The Power of Now
The Ego Trap
Finding Balance in a Competitive World
Embrace Humility.
Living in hyper-individualist societies can get your ego out of control. So much so, it’s almost a baked-in side effect of certain environments. But is ego the real villain, or are we just misunderstanding its role?
We usually think of the ego in a negative way, but it actually has a pretty neutral function. The ego is your sense of identity and self-worth. When it's balanced, it drives confidence and ambition. When it's out of control, it breeds defensiveness and arrogance, making it harder to grow or connect with others.
Even if we try to achieve individual success, we live in societies where we must work with others. Studies have shown that humble, sociable workers are more successful in the workplace and often end up in leadership positions. That’s why we’re challenging the idea that the "lone wolf" mentality is a path to success (and we blame The Wolf of Wall Street for it 😤).
The following are our honest suggestions, no affiliate links or kickbacks apply.
Signs Your Ego Might Be Holding You Back
As with anything, spotting a problem and recognizing it are often harder than solving it. We all tend to deny the problems we create, but staying on top of things can help you identify when you're starting to head down the wrong path.
➡️ Defensiveness
Do you find it frustrating when someone gives you feedback? Of course, not everyone knows how to give constructive criticism. But if it's a constant feeling, it might be worth asking yourself if it's you who needs to change.
➡️ Excessive Pride
Overestimating your contributions is a clear sign of an ego out of control, especially if you feel the need to belittle the contributions of your teammates.
➡️ Resistance to Change
Avoiding risk to protect your image is not only counterproductive, it stunts you from growing.
➡️ Need for Validation
You know, when you’re craving constant approval. There is a difference between wanting your work to be appreciated and seeking constant validation for every action you take.
Of course, the RoadMap take is… your ego doesn’t have to hold you back. With balance, it becomes a tool for growth and resilience.
Hot Off the Press!
The ego is the root of bias.
Matilde Tassinari
Prejudice and discrimination are pervasive, rooted in fear and a lack of interaction with different groups, these issues can be addressed through positive intergroup contact. Virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a tool to foster such contact by creating controlled, immersive environments where people can interact across group lines.
A recent study explored how VR could influence both explicit (conscious) and implicit (automatic) biases. Participants in Finland and Italy engaged in virtual scenarios, cooperating or competing with avatars representing different racial backgrounds. The study found that cooperation with avatars from a different racial group led to reducing implicit biases.
However, the effectiveness of VR depends on the design of the interaction, the avatars, and the context. With careful planning, VR could play a transformative role in reducing prejudice in schools, workplaces, and communities.
Curated Clicks
Embrace Mindfulness.
If you've ever felt trapped in a cycle of stress and overthinking, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle may be the reset you need.
There are many ways to understand the ego, and certainly, Eckhart Tolle has one of the most useful takes on overcoming the insecurity of an out-of-control ego. This transformative guide encourages you to step away from the noise of past regrets and future worries and anchor yourself in the present moment.
Why It Matters
Sometimes the biggest obstacle to progress is the clutter in your mind. The Power of Now offers practical insights and exercises to help you clear that clutter so you can approach life (and work) with greater clarity and purpose.
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