After going to the annual Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce dinner this past weekend, I was reminded of my ongoing struggle with certain types of people. The types of people I’m referring to are those that find it useful to carry a large ego. When people feel the need to tell you how much money they supposedly make, how many employees they supposedly have, marinate in their “power”, or throw all their “good” things in everyone else’s faces…it bugs.
After thinking about it for a little bit, what I realized was that the most unfortunate thing is that ego (in my mind) does not allow you to continue moving forward in a completely productive and effective way. When you spend so much time “patting yourself on the back”, you are unable to get to the work yet to be done. Ego clouds the mind and leads to greed all while having this self-righteous attitude that turns others off. Ego can also be associated with low self esteem and insecurity.
Either way my bottom line is this, if you have a lot of money and/ or power that’s awesome…I wish I had some of both. But there has to be a way to drop the ego so you can continue being productive, helpful, and effective. I’m all for being confident and strong, but when you get to ego it is just ugly. If we can stop looking at what we’ve done, and focus on what is yet to be done then there is always forward movement. Humility is a wonderful characteristic to have!
Amen! I am completely turned off by anyone who feels the constant need to tell me how great they are. Of course, they should be pitied, because they never seem to have enough, either. I know some very successful, confident people who let their accomplishments speak for themselves and I like them the more for it.
First, thanks for the comment Sherry!! And second, I agree 100%, let you accomplishments (or lack there of) speak for you. I try to pity them because I know it typically comes from a place of insecurity, but it is beyond frustrating at times. Cheers to you and I for “getting it”. Thanks again!!