“Ego is the enemy.”
— Ryan Holiday
We live in a world where self-promotion is often praised and personal branding is a currency. But there’s a quiet superpower that the wisest people throughout history have practiced: putting the ego aside.
Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, running your own business, creating art, or trying to improve your relationships, learning to put your ego aside isn’t about becoming weak or passive — it’s about becoming stronger, clearer, and more authentic.
In this article, we’ll explore why ego gets in our way, what it really means to “let go” of ego, and how you can train yourself to do it — day by day, conversation by conversation.
🧠 What Is the Ego, Really?
In psychological terms, the ego is our sense of self — the “I” we refer to. It’s essential for functioning in society. But in spiritual and personal development contexts, “ego” often refers to the false self — the part of us that:
- Needs to be right all the time
- Craves validation and superiority
- Fears vulnerability or being seen as “less than”
When this ego takes over, it becomes a barrier — to truth, connection, learning, and leadership.
🔍 Why Is Letting Go of Ego So Hard?
Because ego whispers things like:
- “If you admit you’re wrong, you’ll look weak.”
- “If you listen instead of speak, they might not know how smart you are.”
- “If you share credit, you’ll lose status.”
But this is a trap.
Psychological studies show that people who display humility and openness are actually perceived as more competent and trustworthy. Letting go of ego doesn’t diminish you — it expands you.
🌿 The Benefits of Putting Ego Aside
- Better Relationships: You listen more, argue less, and connect deeply.
- Faster Learning: You ask more questions and accept feedback.
- Improved Leadership: People trust and respect humble leaders.
- Emotional Freedom: You let go of defensiveness and pride.
- Creativity & Innovation: You’re willing to experiment and fail.
⚒️ How to Put Your Ego Aside (Without Losing Your Self)
1. Practice Humble Curiosity
Instead of assuming you’re right, get curious. Ask:
- What am I missing?
- What can I learn here, even if I disagree?
This shift can transform disagreements into discoveries.
2. Replace “I” With “We”
In conversations and teamwork, practice saying:
- “We did this.”
- “We’re learning.”
- “We can improve.”
It reduces ego inflation and builds collective ownership.
3. Welcome Feedback — Especially When It Stings
Feedback is a mirror. It’s not always flattering, but it reflects where you can grow. Instead of reacting, pause, breathe, and ask follow-up questions.
4. Detach from Outcomes
Put your energy into the process — not just the recognition, reward, or praise. The ego wants applause. The wise person wants mastery.
“Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.” — Tao Te Ching
5. Use Mindfulness to Observe Your Ego
Ego thrives when we’re reactive. Through practices like:
- Meditation
- Journaling
- Breathwork you can observe your ego stories (“I’m not good enough,” “I need to prove myself”) and choose not to act on them.
6. Be Willing to Be Wrong
This is one of the bravest things you can do. Admitting you don’t know or got something wrong makes you more credible, not less.
7. Celebrate Others — Genuinely
When someone else shines, let them. Applaud them. Share their work. The ego says, “That should be me.” But the soul says, “Good for them — and I’m inspired.”
🧘♀️ Final Thoughts: Humility Is Not Thinking Less of Yourself…
…It’s thinking of yourself less. That’s what C.S. Lewis meant when he talked about true humility.
Putting your ego aside isn’t about shrinking — it’s about clearing space for growth, wisdom, and connection. Every time you do it, you train a deeper kind of confidence — the kind that doesn’t need approval, applause, or control.
And in today’s noisy, image-obsessed world — that’s a radical and powerful thing.
✨ Try This Today:
- Let someone else speak first — and really listen.
- Say “I don’t know” when you don’t.
- Celebrate someone else’s win publicly.
- Reflect on one recent moment where ego got in your way — and what you learned from it.
If this post resonated with you, share it with someone who’s on a growth journey too. Or leave a comment:
What’s one way you’ve learned to manage your ego?