Your ego is a part of your personality. We all view ourselves a certain way, and what shapes our opinions about ourselves depends on how much value we give to ourselves.
In psychology, ego refers to our conscious personality and includes our awareness of ourselves and the world around us. Therefore, our ego refers to how we see ourselves in relation to the world around us.
Having a healthy ego is necessary to feel confident and secure. However, it is also normal to feel our self-esteem dip on different occasions. Perhaps it is because of anxiety or uncertainty that negatively impacts our ego.
Nevertheless, needing a boost in our egos is something we can all make good use of once in a while. Here’s how you can boost your ego and achieve a healthy sense of self:
Consider Your Triggers
To give yourself an ego boost you need to identify the conditions or situations that negatively affect your ego. These situations could be common triggers such as giving a presentation for work, problems at home or with your relationship, or it could be anticipating upcoming life changes. These situations may cause anxieties that could make you feel unsure of yourself.
Be Mindful of Your Thoughts
Once you know what could be affecting your ego, the next step is to become mindful of how you think about these challenging situations. You might not realize it, but your thoughts play an integral role in your ego because these ideas and beliefs shape your views about others and yourself.
Negative self-talk can be harmful and lead you to doubt yourself. Often, these thoughts are irrational and are based on your fears, anxieties, and insecurities. Being mindful of how you talk to yourself allows you to catch yourself whenever you engage in negative self-talk.
Challenge Your Negative Thoughts
When you are aware of your thoughts, it is now easier to challenge them. There are different ways in which your negative thoughts can affect your ego. Pay attention to the following thought patterns, such as dwelling only on the negatives. Another toxic thought pattern is converting positives into negatives, or whenever you negate your achievements because of your insecurities. People with low self-esteem tend to jump to negative conclusions or have an ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset.
You need to challenge your negative thoughts because in most cases they are inaccurate or even irrational. To challenge these beliefs, you need to ask yourself if your thoughts are aligned with facts. Reasoning with your thoughts allows you to check inconsistencies with facts and illogical statements.
Reframe How You Think
Now that you have challenged your negative thoughts, you need to reframe them to give your ego a boost. You can start by treating yourself with kindness by using positive statements.
Allow yourself to acknowledge how you are feeling, then move on from the negativity by forgiving yourself for mistakes you have made in the past. Those mistakes are not permanent reflections of who you are as a person. You can also look at the insights you have gained from the experience to boost your self-confidence, knowing that you picked up valuable experiences and realizations along the way.
Finally, avoid reacting negatively to your negative thoughts, but rather think of them as signals to adapt to a more positive mindset.
Feed Your Ego Healthily
Think of your ego as a living thing. If you neglect to take care of it, it can wither and die, while overdoing it can also be harmful. For the ego to thrive, you need to look after it and feed it in a healthy manner. Allow it to flourish in an environment that is conducive to growth.
So how can you feed your ego to achieve a healthy level of self-confidence?
First, you have to surround yourself with things that empower you. It is challenging to grow in a toxic environment. Secondly, you need to enrich your mind with ideas that can help boost your confidence. Reading books, enrolling in classes, and immersing yourself in programs about gaining self-confidence are great tools to boost your ego.
Keep in mind that what you feed your mind shapes your thoughts and beliefs. Therefore, it pays you to feed it well and watch your ego grow.
Your ego is an integral part of your personality. A healthy ego enables you to pursue your goals, make meaningful connections with others, and become more confident and comfortable with ‘you.’
