5 Powerful Ways To Use Ego & Transform Your Relationships.

Embrace the power of ego to your benefit. Learn about practical ways and steps to use ego effectively & improve your relationships.

Have you ever thought about how using your ego in a positive way can transform your relationships?

The ego serves as a protective mask. It alerts us when our ‘self’ is in danger. Used well, it helps us understand our needs and strengthen our relationships. But, misuse of the ego can lead to impulsivity and negative impacts on relationships. Having a healthy ego is essential. As too little ego can indicate a lack of self-esteem. It also reflects the difficulty in setting boundaries. In this article, we will explore practical strategies for utilizing our ego to cultivate self-awareness & improve communication. We will also see how it helps us foster understanding, shift perspectives, and practice gratitude. Let’s unlock the transformative potential of the ego in your life.” Also read: Understanding ‘Ego’: Its Influence on Relationships & personal growth.

Here are 5 ways to prevent ego from harming your relationships.

These steps can bring a difference in your relationships. It can not only heal but also improve your relationships. These practical and doable steps will benefit you.

Image by Mystic Art Design from Pixabay

1.Know yourself well:

Ego is the absence of awareness. It prompts us to examine our needs by analyzing our interactions with others. It includes partners, friends, colleagues, family, or superiors. If your ‘ego’ is causing differences, then it may be asking you to:

a) Analyze & accept your mistakes, if any. Journaling will help you recognize & record your mistakes/feelings.

b)Correct the mistakes and apologize. It will help you become humble and accountable.

And, if you are finding it difficult to say ‘No’:

a) Analyze & note the reasons for your inability to say no.

b) Try to understand your needs, wants, and feelings behind it

2. Communicate Openly:

Misunderstandings arise when we do not communicate our feelings effectively. Clear communication can settle most misunderstandings & prevent ego from taking place. It can keep our relationships going on pleasant. Here are a few tips which would help:

a) Always discuss your likes, dislikes, expectations, needs & wants in every relationship you share.

b) Be clear with your expectations & goals. Let them know what is okay & not okay.

c) Let them know how their actions or words affect you. Express your feelings in a positive way.

3. Seek to understand:

Misunderstood messages harm relationships & give rise to ego. If the message is understood well, expressing our feelings becomes easier. It can also help resolve any conflict. Here are a few tips that will help us be attentive & improve our relationships:

a) Before responding, listen attentively & let the person complete what they are saying.

b) If you missed something, ask questions. Also, clarify the message & the intention behind it.

c) Try to understand what makes them behave in a certain way. Clarify their intent & let them know how it affects you.

“The most important thing in communication is to hear what is not being said”_Peter Drucker.

4. Shift your attention:

Giving attention to a thought activates our mind and connects all similar thoughts to it. When we hold a thought in our mind for 17 seconds, it changes our feelings.

It may affect our relationships. Here are a few tips that will help you navigate negative thoughts & bad ego:

a) If you are feeling resentful towards someone, shift your attention to another thought.

b) If you find it difficult, do any activity like painting, running, or reading a book. You can also talk with an old friend. It will shift your attention & make you feel present.

c) Keep your mind and body engaged. It will make you active, keep you positive & will help you see things from a different perspective.

5. Practice gratitude & be humble:

Saying ‘Thank you’ or ‘Sorry’ can dissolve our pride, jealousy & ego. It makes us more accepting, forgiving, and appreciative of the people around us. It also enhances people’s trust, helps us builds new relationships & improves the present once. Here are a few ways gratitude can help:

a) Focus on the positives in your life. Appreciate the positive things in people around you. Journaling and writing letters or notes for them could help.

b) Use positive words like Thank you, please, and Sorry in conversations. Acknowledge people’s efforts and use positive words wherever you can.

c)Count all the good things that happened to you in the day. Spend time in nature. It will make you feel present.

Know that perfection is an illusion. People do make mistakes, and so do we. We can learn from it & not repeat it.

‘Ego’ can improve our self-awareness and act as a powerful ‘indicator’ of our needs. Good ego can also enhance our relationships & boost our confidence. If used wisely, it can act as a mediator in our relationships. As the Bhagavad Gita says, there is a difference between ‘real ego’ & false ego. Good ‘ego’ is our very essence. (consciousness awareness of our being/existence) makes us aware and awake of reality.

“The ego is a way of organizing oneself; it comes from the intellect as the mind starts to click in.” — Mark Epstein.