Ego is the Enemy

The ego often stands as a formidable barrier to cultivating a growth mindset. It can cause us to stray from learning and strive for recognition and develop fixed mindset attitudes. In this thought-provoking episode, we delve deep into the fascinating realm of ego and its profound influence on our personal and professional growth. We'll share real-life stories of individuals and organizations who have grappled with the challenges of ego, from the towering successes to the unexpected failures. Through these captivating narratives, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how ego-driven behavior can derail even the most promising journeys. Discover the dangers of ego in the early stages of your endeavors, where the desire for instant success can blind you to valuable opportunities for learning and improvement. Explore how ego can cast a shadow over your achievements, making you more susceptible to complacency and resistance to change when success is at hand. In the face of failure, we'll uncover how ego can be an anchor, preventing you from bouncing back and turning setbacks into stepping stones. Learn how embracing humility, self-awareness, and a commitment to lifelong learning can lead to greater resilience and personal development. - - - On the growth mindset podcast with Sam Webster Harris, we explore the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. Success and happiness is a state of mind unique to ourselves and is our responsibility to create. Through a process of honest self-reflection of what is holding us back and what is driving us forward, we can lose the ego and build awareness of how to be the best we can be. - - - Connect with Sam: Sam's newsletter on creativity - Explosive Thinking Watch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset) Twitter - @samjamharris Instagram - @SamJam.zen Youtube - @Samjam - - - Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: Ancient Greek Philosophy to Reduce Modern Anxiety Chapters: 00:00 Ego as a blocker for growth 08:51 Lesson from George Washington 09:36 5 problems of ego when starting new things 10:05 Resisting constructive feedback 10:21 Overpromising and underdelivering 10:42 Ignoring market research 11:32 Ego and success 13:34 5 areas where ego can block you 13:41 Arrogance and hubris 14:00 Resistance to change 14:17 Lack of accountability 14:48 Ignoring feedback 15:17 Resting on our laurels 19:11 Ego and Failure 22:06 5 areas that ego can blind us 22:15 Blaming external factors 22:36 Not learning from failure 23:18 Fear of reputational damage 23:51 Panic and desperation 24:05 Fixing things by making the same mistake 25:04 Accept and learn from your failures 26:13 Sendoff Topics: Elusive Ego Growth mindset Self-awareness Personal development Overcoming ego Success and ego Failure and ego Humility Learning from failure Resilience Ryan Holiday "Ego Is the Enemy" Ego-driven behavior Embracing humility Continuous learning Complacency Success stories Real-life examples Podcast discussion Lessons from Literature Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Om Podcasten

Most self-help advice is guesswork dressed up as wisdom. We dig into psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science to find what actually changes lives. WHY LISTEN? Over 8 million downloads because we answer the questions that matter: How do I build mental strength? What creates lasting motivation? How can I understand my own mind well enough to work with it, not against it? This podcast is for curious skeptics who want frameworks backed by psychology studies, not Instagram quotes. Whether you're navigating procrastination, building self-discipline, or designing your own philosophy for a life well lived—we explore the hidden psychology behind real change. WHAT YOU'LL GET Mental models and simple techniques from cognitive psychology, positive psychology, and ancient wisdom traditions like Stoicism and Buddhism. Being a human can be confusing, learning about it doesn’t have to be. We cover everything from emotional intelligence and habit formation to brain health and the nervous system. WHAT YOU DON’T GET No pseudoscience. No oversimplified "hacks." No hustle porn. Just practical insights on mindset improvement, self-development, and human psychology that respect your intelligence and mental health. THE APPROACH Instead of telling you what to think, we explore how thinking works. Armed with psychology studies, social science research, and relentless curiosity, we uncover the mechanics of belief change, attitude change, and personal development. Success is personal. You might want to leverage your neurodiverse strengths, build a business, or simply discover how to be happier. We provide the mental frameworks to pursue your definition of success with mental strength and self-care that fits your life. YOUR HOST I'm Sam Webster Harris—a lifelong learner with ADHD and an obsession with finding answers to hard questions. After launching businesses, traveling the world, and nearly dying a few times, I concluded that psychology and science are where real wisdom lives. This show is my excuse to dive deep into health and fitness research, behavioral psychology, and cool science while helping you build genuine self-discipline and motivation. PREMIUM Go ad-free and access exclusive content, AMAs, and our community Discord. Growth Mindset Premium PAST SERIES Previous guests include Olympians, Scientists, Billionaires, and Sam's Mum. Past series: — Psychology vs Stoicism — Time Management for Busy Mortals — Independence and Knowing Yourself — Cognitive Biases and Rational Thinking — Psychology of Connection and Relationships — Carol Dweck and the Multiverse of Mindsets — Addiction and Behaviour Change — Nervous System Mastery and Polyvagal Theory — Mental Strength and Self-Discipline