Outcome over Ego
Ask better questions and answer them honestly | 100 DoW #70
Hey friends, today a mini-essay on the idea of “outcome over ego.” (I found some notes on this in my PKM (Personal Knowledge Management) tools as I am consolidating some of my notes.)
One difference between a childish response vs. an adult response is to choose the right outcome over what feels comfortable for your ego.
If you choose your ego, a selfish choice, essentially, you optimize for feeling good—in the moment—instead of doing actual good.
It’s choosing the lesser good vs, the greater good.
And by choosing the lesser good over and over, you will create a downward spiral.
Instead, if you regard the outcome as more important than your ego, you'll create an upward spiral and make a real positive impact possible.
But how can you actively practice choosing the greater good? I.e., choosing outcome over ego?
By asking yourself questions. The right questions.
Asking better questions of yourself—and then answering them truthfully—will net you better answers.
Ask better questions and answer them honestly
Those answers, in turn, will help you to make better decisions and thus take better actions. (Actions that serve the outcome you really want, vs. the outcome your ego may wish.)
But as you can imagine, asking and answering questions truthfully means leaving your ego at the door. That's not an easy choice, by any means. But it is the right choice.
There are some tools and practices that can help you with that, of course: meditation, coaching, conversation, psychedelics, or walking around in nature, to name just a few.
For now, I have a short list for you with a few questions to get you started. Hopefully, it'll help you achieve some great outcomes as a result!
What story are you telling yourself?
Who do you want to share this life with?
What would you do if fear was not a factor and you could not fail?
Are my actions guided by love, or by fear?
Who do you want to serve (in this life, in your business)?
Thanks for reading!
Cheers,
Jibran