The Enemy Within
“We have met the enemy and it is us.” — Walt Kelly
I was training Jiu Jitsu with a less experienced partner.
I fooled myself into believing I was better than I really was.
My “less experienced” partner caught me in an arm bar.
Instead of tapping, I tried to fight my way out.
My EGO refused to be submitted by someone who it thought was a lessor opponent.
Big mistake.
I did tap, after I heard something pop in my elbow.
Not fun.
Lesson learned the hard way.
Our worst enemy lives inside our mind.
Our EGO.
Ego is:
- the false story of our own greatness.
- the unhealthy belief in our own importance.
- thinking we are better than we really are.
Ego is arrogance and entitlement.
“The first principle” Richard Feyman wrote, “is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool.”
It’s the polar opposite of CONFIDENCE.
Confidence is earned.
Ego is not.
Ego is the Enemy within each of us.
Ego has caused BIG crashes everywhere from politics, to sales deals gone bad, to personal relationships.
Nothing will hurt you faster than your own ego.
3 Ways to Keep Your EGO in Check:
- Have a Student Mindset
Committ to something hard. Train Jiu Jitsu. Take up a musical instrument. Do something that exposes the massive amounts of skills you do NOT currently possess. It’s hard to have a huge ego when you are getting smashed on the mat or can’t play Jingle Bells. Ho, Ho, Ho…
- Get Natural
Walk by the ocean. Look up at the stars. Get lost in the mountains. Nature has a way of keeping people grounded.
- Know Your History
Look at history. Chester Arthur, Marcus Aurelius, & Genghis Khan were 3 of the most powerful and famous people on earth. Now they’re not. We all do important work. Value what you do but stay humble.
There is a sign that hangs over the entrance to our Jiu Jitsu academy.
It’s both a welcome & a warning.
The sign reads, “Please leave your EGO and SHOES at the door. Enter with a Beginner’s Mind.”
This is a fantastic mindset to bring on the mat.
It’s even better to bring into your life.
#EgoIsTheEnemy
-Joe Ciccarone
