Ego permeates our lives, influencing relationships and personal growth. From bosses to sports figures, we're often quick to notice others' egos but overlook our own. The struggle with teenagers might not be about control, but a reflection of our own insecurities. Ancient wisdom reminds us that we often stop learning when we think we already know it all. This exploration challenges us to reflect on our priorities and confront the ways ego might be distorting our perceptions and decisions.
02:43
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Ego's Pervasiveness
Ego is pervasive, manifesting in various domains of life.
Focusing on others' egos can distract from addressing one's own.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Self-Reflection on Ego
Reflect on how your ego affects your actions and relationships.
Identify areas where ego hinders your growth and happiness.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Control and Learning
Question the motivations behind power struggles, especially with children.
Acknowledge that clinging to the need for control can impede learning and growth.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In *Ego Is the Enemy*, Ryan Holiday delves into the concept of ego and its detrimental effects on personal and professional success. The book is divided into three sections: Aspiration, Success, and Failure, each offering valuable lessons and perspectives. Holiday draws on a vast array of stories and examples from literature, philosophy, and history, featuring figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt. These individuals achieved great success by conquering their own egos, and their strategies and tactics are presented as models for readers. The book emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, continually learning, and embracing a mindset of growth rather than letting ego hinder development.
We live in a world awash with ego. We see it every day. We can see the ego of our boss, and how it has turned the office against them. We can see ego in politicians and professional athletes. We can see it in our kid’s teacher, perhaps, when they get in some pissing match with another parent or are threatened by a precious student. As they get older, we can even see ego in our own kids—thinking they can ace a test without studying or advance in sports without practicing.
The laundry list of out of control egos is easy to write. But it’s interesting to think that putting it together may in fact be our own ego distracting us from ourselves. Because by focusing on the problems other people’s egos are causing we excuse ourselves from looking in the mirror at our own.
Today and every day, dads should take a moment to just think about where ego is holding them back. Is the power struggle with your teenager actually over anything important or is this just you demanding to be in control? “You can’t learn that which you think you already know,” Epictetus once said. Well, what things are you holding yourself back from learning because you’re a know-it-all? The pissing contest you got into with a teacher? The pissing contest you’re still in with your dad? The hours you work, the money you spend, the car you drive—is there ego tied up in any of these? Any chance it’s warping your priorities? Any chance it’s getting you into trouble?
Ego is the enemy. Always. Of everything, but especially of the things that really matter in this life: happiness, a family that gets along, improving, contentment, forgiveness, stillness.
You know it. So stop thinking about other people and work on yourself.
The Daily Dad 