As you know, this rule has been easy for me to follow. But hear me out—I’ve got a good reason for it.
Having a well-developed ego, contrary to popular opinion, is a positive attribute. It is the center of our consciousness and serves to give us a sense of purpose. I remember saying to someone, Show me someone with no ego and I’ll show you a big loser. I was trying to stir things up and provoke a reaction, but I later realized the basic idea is on target.
The ego works to keep our conscious and unconscious aspects in balance. Too much either way can be detrimental. No ego means very little life force, and too much means a dictatorial personality. Keep your ego in a healthy balance, for your own well-being as well as for those around you. Strive for wholeness. It’s an intelligent approach to life and business.
Understanding how egos work can be a great tool. Did you ever notice how you can deflate an opponent by simply saying, Yeah, whatever you say …? By doing this, you are gently assuming a no-ego position, which disarms the other person while at the same time taking the wind out of their sails. It gives you the peace of mind necessary to allow you to concentrate on something more important than dealing with someone who is playing God.
Sometimes, rather than confronting a tyrant or a psycho directly, it’s more effective to keep the knowledge to yourself and proceed accordingly, behind the scenes.
We’ve all heard the saying that knowledge is power. The intelligent use of that power is crucial in the business world, and it’s just as important in your personal life. Your mind can build castles—just make sure the foundations are in place first. You, and the people around you, will be grateful for that.