Egos are a lot like assholes… everyone has one.
At every turn on social we’re being scored on how influential we are, showing off how many fans/followers we have or showcasing how many people read our blogs or have us in their Circles.
Focusing on these numbers makes it easy to fall into the trap of feeding the ego. Much like a Mogwai after midnight, feeding an ego can have disastrous repercussions. The most common of these is inflating one’s self-worth. You have probably seen it within your network, someone ranting on how CEOs should be focusing on social media or how they can’t believe that they don’t have a book deal or how X Company has ignored their complaints and how it is UNACCEPTABLE.
While we all fall into this trap every now and then, it’s important to make sure that you are not consumed by your ego. Sure it is part of each of us, but it is not all that we are. One of the biggest things in keeping away from becoming ego obsessed is to stay grounded. Below are four practices I 
have picked up and subscribe to.
Look and Laugh
Looking in the mirror is something that we all need to do both figuratively and literally. On one hand you need to make sure you are comfortable enough in your own skin to be successful. It is also important to assess who you are and where you want to be. I am my own worst critic. But looking at your own performance will help you improve and avoid being THAT guy. At the end of the day it is important not to take yourself too seriously; you should also be prepared to laugh at yourself – it’s good for you.
Getting knocked down
No one likes to fail or get put in their place. Instead of letting it stew and fester, embrace it when it happens. If your boss or client points out something that you need to improve on, take it to heart and see how you can build off of it. If you are coming across as arrogant or cocky, you’re going to lose supporter among coworkers or clients. Learning from those kinds of mistakes will allow you to improve and grow.
Focusing on what is really important
While work is an important part of life, it is not everything. It took me 30 years and the birth of my son to figure that out. Now I am not saying you need to go out and have a kid to stay rooted, but you need to determine what is important to you. It can be anything from a pet to a hobby to traveling; it just has to be something that allows you to get away from your career for part of every day. It will keep you sane and probably happier overall.
How do you avoid playing into your ego?
Great post, Jeff. I fear that the whole social scoring meme has jumped the shark now that Bing has integrated Klout and vice versa. It’s a damn same.
Great post, Jeff. I fear that the whole social scoring meme has jumped the shark now that Bing has integrated Klout and vice versa. It’s a damn shame. Oh, update your LiveFyre so I can edit next time…
geoffliving Thanks sir… I thought that was a Bing beta… I will head into LF now for an update.
@jeffespo agreed!! great, short points!! http://t.co/DNWpVTkW
@erinkmckay I think it totally has for @conceptnest
@ginidietrich @jeffespo I think this guy’s been running with the wrong crowd or shouldn’t steal a psychiatrist’s notes. Never seen this!
@Old_Jrice Me and the wrong crowd go hand-in-hand… its how I found @ginidietrich
@Old_Jrice In all seriousness its a problem I see over and over again cc @ginidietrich