To deny one’s ego is to develop one’s self

To deny one’s ego is to develop one’s self

It is tempting to let flatteries and sugarcoated words get into our heads. They boost our ego. It is also tempting to reject critiques. They hurt our ego.

Yet, our goal should not be to boost our ego but to truly develop our selves. And authentic integral development is not convenient. It can be painful, akin to athletes harshly training their bodies to improve their craft.

It is ironic that society glorifies the perks of what “success” looks like, how influencers or superstar athletes seem to earn millions seemingly overnight while living a chill life. But the really successful content creators and athletes are those who derive meaning in the grind, the “dirty work” behind the spotlight – the trainings, the endless revisions of ideas, and the discipline.

Flow, the psychology of optimum performance, shows that the time we dissolve our ego and immerse with the activity is also the time we are at our best. Indeed, to deny one’s ego is to develop one’s self.

Matthew 16:24-28. Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 217: AUGUST 5, 2022]