your ego is not the enemy
4.30.24
⏳ THE LINE-UP
What’s on the lineup card (agenda)?
This week, we are Touching Base on Ego with the greatest team ever assembled - The Dream Team of the 1992 Olympics. We can learn a lot about how the legendary squad used ego in their favor and how YOU can too.
☕️ THE WARM-UP
EGO gets a bad wrap. Mostly negative. When I hear that EGO is the enemy, I hear a cop out.
My take:
If you can create a new relationship with your ego, you can use it to your advantage. It can propel you on your mission to gold. Kinda like that one Olympic basketball team that was pretty good in 92’. Remember them? Talk about EGO’s.
⛳️ PREGAME
Battling your ego is a battle of acceptance. If you want to nerd out on the science behind it, look up the Acceptance and Commitment Theory.
But what’s for lunch today? Acceptance with a side of awareness.
If we have not done proper work on understanding thyself, the second someone says something you don’t agree with or challenges your belief, our ego takes a hit.
But why? Ask yourself…
Were they right
Did you not prepare
Are you uncomfortable with failure?
These are a few questions to consider when it comes to letting your ego work for you and not against you. Here are 2 TV and film characters who did the work and let EGO work for them.
⏱ GAMETIME
But how did The Dream Team do it? They embraced their EGO's AND had a coach that knew how to navigate the team along the way. Those coaches sure do make a difference.
Here’s how I do it. I tell myself to ISOLATE my ego. Here’s how you can too.
Recognize the Pattern
Notice when ego-driven thoughts and behaviors present. Where are you? Write it down. Who’s around? Can this be a positive? Take a breath.
Defuse Negative Thoughts:
Reduce negative talk by labeling or naming thoughts. Keep breathing. Visualize an outcome of what you want and reframe if the moment calls for it.
Clarify Values:
Identify and commit to your core values. Have a bias toward action aligned with those values. This reminds you of the importance of long game vs short game.
Do you think The Dream Team of 1992 would have been The Dream Team without the biggest EGO’s to ever hit the hardwood? Rhetorical question.
🏁 THE CLOSE
Create a new notes tab and name it EGO. Now, write down when it serves you and when it does not serve you. Acceptance has started.
Listen to this episode of the Serendipity Podcast. Wazo, “Oak” talks about three types of EGO’s and the benefit of being able to locate your ego (specifically the 10:00 mark).
Read Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday. Not a complete contradiction . He provides practical strategies for overcoming ego-driven tendencies and cultivating humility, resilience, and authenticity.
Want more on resilience and authenticity, check out last week’s newsletter HERE.
Even better, send it to someone that might like Touching Base with us.
ON DECK
Teaser to What Leadership Pillar and Topic Is Up for Next Week
We are talkin’ tradition with ponies, The Kentucky Derby and the recipe for longevity.
