The Positivity Tip No One Wants to Hear – Ego Disruptors

I’ve been rereading the notes I made in Cy Wakeman’s book, No Ego:  How Leaders Can Cut the Cost of Workplace Drama, End Entitlement, and Drive Big Results. There’s so much good stuff but a couple of my highlights caught my attention yesterday and made me pause. 

Warning! Before you read them, be aware that her book focuses on how to eliminate ego-drive drama in the workplace, and the following excerpts are about how to “disrupt the ego.” These are great suggestions for our home life, too!

“When you start judging others or feeling resentment about what you perceive you’re not getting, turn that energy back toward your own evolution.” 

“When you get stuck in judgment with thoughts like “They shouldn’t act that way. . . “ you’ve created an attitude of I am right, and you are wrong. I am good, and you are bad. Work on your flexibility by opening your mind.”

“Do you have advice for others? Write down exactly what you think they should or should not be doing, and enact that advice in your own life.” 

When I make a point of observing my initial reaction to situations, I become embarrassingly aware of how often my ego kicks in. It’s much easier to see how other people should improve than it is to reflect on my own behavior. But then I remind myself that this is normal and is often part of our survival instinct. However, just because it’s normal doesn’t mean I have to stay in that judgment or thought, and I don’t have to act on it.  Our egos may be a reason for drama but they should not be an excuse. We have the power to choose.

Pick one of Cy’s ego disrupters from above to experiment and practice this week. See if you can start tuning into your ego’s voice.