Ego-taming. I’ve been working on it. Here is how.

A few days ago a close friend of mine visited from across the ocean. We haven’t seen each other in years.

As I headed to LA to meet my friend at his hotel, I caught myself feeling… narcissistic. If you read my stories, you’d know I’m a passionate runner. I’ve lost lots of weight in the last two years and am now leaner than I was in my teenage years. There are a lot of things I’m struggling with in life but I do feel proud and positive about my fitness level and my body. There is nothing wrong with it — feeling proud and positive. However, there was definitely an unhealthy element of wanting to show off to my friend.

There are many other situations where our ego jumps into the driver’s seat.

A few years ago I co-founded a start-up that ultimately failed. I remember proudly sharing the mock-up of our app on my Facebook page.

Why?!

There was no product yet, no sales, barely any team; there was only a long and uncertain journey ahead. Maybe my post wasn’t boastful but, still, it was food for my ego.

Social media, in general, is, of course, an especially shiny dumpster for our egos. A picture of your feet on some pretty beach? Why?! Enjoying your vacation — good for you! Maybe someone out there can’t afford a vacation and they feel a little sad looking at your picture. Building a house in Silicon Valley and sharing how the construction is progressing? Why again?! I actually have a friend who did that. I…