The Ego Is Your Friend

[Black_Dragon43]

Here’s another script you’ve been sold by the slave masters: “the ego is your enemy”

So says Buddhism, Stoicism and most of the popular philosophies around.

And you know why they tell you that? Because someone with no ego causes no problems… in other words, someone with no ego isn’t even a threat!

But look at the most successful people in business and you’ll meet the biggest egos around. Steve Jobs was known to be a MASSIVE prick — he told Elon Musk he’s too insignificant to meet him. Can you imagine YOU saying that to Elon Musk? And don’t answer it, because I know the answer already. You can’t!

Larry Ellison was a MASSIVE SOB. Jack Welch was a BALL BUSTER — they called him Neutron Jack because in the morning you were hired, and in the afternoon you were fired!

John D Rockefeller was a ruthless hard bastard who thought God created all the world’s oil to be under his dominion.

And I can go on…

All these guys have one thing in common — gigantic egos.

In fact, I’ll say that the most successful businesspeople are the most controlled by their egos — the exact opposite of what the gurus you guys follow tell you.

And yet… you still continue to follow them… you still continue to do your meditation… you still continue to follow the same path that may certainly lead to happiness, but not to wealth and success.

What you want to do instead is strengthen the ego. The stronger your ego, the more you’ll feel that you deserve, and the hungrier you’ll be. Where do you think confidence comes from? From a weak ego? Certainly not.

In business you will be competing against people like those whom I’ve mentioned. You need to be ready. And you won’t get ready by meditating.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Guest-5ty5s4]

Here’s another script you’ve been sold by the slave masters: “the ego is your enemy”

So says Buddhism, Stoicism and most of the popular philosophies around.

And you know why they tell you that? Because someone with no ego causes no problems… in other words, someone with no ego isn’t even a threat!

But look at the most successful people in business and you’ll meet the biggest egos around. Steve Jobs was known to be a MASSIVE prick — he told Elon Musk he’s too insignificant to meet him. Can you imagine YOU saying that to Elon Musk? And don’t answer it, because I know the answer already. You can’t!

Larry Ellison was a MASSIVE SOB. Jack Welch was a BALL BUSTER — they called him Neutron Jack because in the morning you were hired, and in the afternoon you were fired!

John D Rockefeller was a ruthless hard bastard who thought God created all the world’s oil to be under his dominion.

And I can go on…

All these guys have one thing in common — gigantic egos.

In fact, I’ll say that the most successful businesspeople are the most controlled by their egos — the exact opposite of what the gurus you guys follow tell you.

And yet… you still continue to follow them… you still continue to do your meditation… you still continue to follow the same path that may certainly lead to happiness, but not to wealth and success.

What you want to do instead is strengthen the ego. The stronger your ego, the more you’ll feel that you deserve, and the hungrier you’ll be. Where do you think confidence comes from? From a weak ego? Certainly not.

In business you will be competing against people like those whom I’ve mentioned. You need to be ready. And you won’t get ready by meditating.

I agree with you.

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." - George Bernard Shaw

 

[constant]

Here’s another script you’ve been sold by the slave masters: “the ego is your enemy”

So says Buddhism, Stoicism and most of the popular philosophies around.

And you know why they tell you that? Because someone with no ego causes no problems… in other words, someone with no ego isn’t even a threat!

But look at the most successful people in business and you’ll meet the biggest egos around. Steve Jobs was known to be a MASSIVE prick — he told Elon Musk he’s too insignificant to meet him. Can you imagine YOU saying that to Elon Musk? And don’t answer it, because I know the answer already. You can’t!

Larry Ellison was a MASSIVE SOB. Jack Welch was a BALL BUSTER — they called him Neutron Jack because in the morning you were hired, and in the afternoon you were fired!

John D Rockefeller was a ruthless hard bastard who thought God created all the world’s oil to be under his dominion.

And I can go on…

All these guys have one thing in common — gigantic egos.

In fact, I’ll say that the most successful businesspeople are the most controlled by their egos — the exact opposite of what the gurus you guys follow tell you.

And yet… you still continue to follow them… you still continue to do your meditation… you still continue to follow the same path that may certainly lead to happiness, but not to wealth and success.

What you want to do instead is strengthen the ego. The stronger your ego, the more you’ll feel that you deserve, and the hungrier you’ll be. Where do you think confidence comes from? From a weak ego? Certainly not.

In business you will be competing against people like those whom I’ve mentioned. You need to be ready. And you won’t get ready by meditating.

Perhaps my post gave you this thread idea.
I don't meditate or follow any of the philosophies you mentioned.

Ego can boost hunger and willingness to work hard. Great.

The men you mentioned got high egos because they have already accomplished plenty. They have experience, connections and money.
They can be as egoistic as they want.

However, if someone with no experience and zero dollars to their name decides that they want to be a millionaire without learning or working hard because they're better than that, then they'll be stuck in one place.

I see ego holding people back, for example, in fitness all the time. Beginners trying to train like experienced juiced up bodybuilders, doing 10 exercises they dont need, lifting weights they clearly can't handle with awful form.

Besides, Steve Jobs didn't become successful because he was an a**hole. He became successful because he made a successful product.

 

[heavy_industry]

This whole "ego is the enemy" idea was popularized because most people don't know how to handle their emotions and they get crushed by their own mind. Their ego causes them a lot of suffering. So they would rather demonize what they do not understand.

The same thing happened with "living in the present and not thinking about the future". One of the most ridiculous ideas I've ever come across.

Your ego is one of the most powerful tools you can use in life. It's what you believe to be your identity. All your thoughts, emotions and actions will be filtered through this lens.

All high performers have a huge ego, and they are really proud of their hard work. And that is a good thing.

The only caveat is that you should be the one that controls your ego, not the other way around. Otherwise you become irrational.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Kak]

This whole "ego is the enemy" idea was popularized because most people don't know how to handle their emotions and they get crushed by their own mind. Their ego causes them a lot of suffering. So they would rather demonize what they do not understand.

The same thing happened with "living in the present and not thinking about the future". One of the most ridiculous ideas I've ever come across.

Your ego is one of the most powerful tools you can use in life. It's what you believe to be your identity. All your thoughts, emotions and actions will be filtered through this lens.

All high performers have a huge ego, and they are really proud of their hard work. And that is a good thing.

The only caveat is that you should be the one that controls your ego, not the other way around. Otherwise you become irrational.

My thoughts exactly. Especially not letting it control you.

I will add that I think Ryan Holiday is useless.

I will also add that I believe confidence and pride to be different elements of “ego.” Having enormous confidence can move mountains. Being prideful is almost always a complete and total hinderance to one’s success.

 

[Black_Dragon43]

Perhaps my post gave you this thread idea.
I don't meditate or follow any of the philosophies you mentioned.

Your post did give me the idea, but I wasn’t referring to you personally in my post. This is something I see in a lot of online communities, and it’s usually espoused by people who follow one of those philosophies.

The men you mentioned got high egos because they have already accomplished plenty. They have experience, connections and money.
They can be as egoistic as they want.

And this is where I think you’re wrong. They had huge egos BEFORE they were successful, in fact their ego is precisely what drove them to be successful. They felt they deserve it, over and above everyone else. If they didn’t they would never have pushed as hard as they did.

However, if someone with no experience and zero dollars to their name decides that they want to be a millionaire without learning or working hard because they're better than that, then they'll be stuck in one place.

Well, if they just have a big ego and don’t work hard or learn, that’s a recipe for failure… you need a big ego AND hard work + willingness to learn. A big ego can give you the drive to work harder and the willingness to learn though.

Usually the people who fall in the category you describe don’t really have a big ego in the first place. They’re just pretending.

Besides, Steve Jobs didn't become successful because he was an a**hole. He became successful because he made a successful product.

Then why wasn’t Woz ever as rich as Steve if it’s all about the “successful product”? Because Steve conned him and was a much better businessman, who took as much as possible for himself. From the very beginning. The very first computer they sold, Steve lied to Woz about the price and kept most of the money. He didn’t recognize his own daughter!! Refused to recognize her even though he knew she was his and she was his responsibility. Because she conflicted with his vision of dominating computers and building a huge company — he had no time for a daughter.

So he was the farthest thing from a good human being. And this in large part is why he became as successful as he did. Now ask yourself — are you willing to make these sacrifices? And if you’re not, don’t complain that you’re not a billionaire — because the rest of the guys you’re competing against at that level ARE willing to make them.

 

[wyattnorton]

He didn’t recognize his own daughter!! Refused to recognize her even though he knew she was his and she was his responsibility. Because she conflicted with his vision of dominating computers and building a huge company — he had no time for a daughter.

So he was the farthest thing from a good human being. And this in large part is why he became as successful as he did. Now ask yourself — are you willing to make these sacrifices? And if you’re not, don’t complain that you’re not a billionaire — because the rest of the guys you’re competing against at that level ARE willing to make them.

56 and he hit the dirt early...

God's telling you something with that.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Gabo96]

I think it's a matter of using common sense and discernment.

What "your ego is your enemy" means, in a good way, "F*ck the idea you have of Yourself".

If you want to learn something new, your ego will try to prevent you from doing that to preserve you from failing. You need to let go of the idea of "I'm not good at x, y, z".

THAT'S when your ego sucks.

Or when you need to live a frugal lifestyle in the short term so you can enjoy the rewards. Your ego will tell you that you need to own a house, a car, etc. so you can keep up with 'friends'. So in that case your Ego is a clear obstacle too.

-----
More contradictions...

When you decide to improve yourself you need to be SELFISH. Most religions or philosophies tell you to not be selfish. But most people use that as an excuse to be a people pleaser.

Being selfless isn't living by other people's values.

It's living by your own values, but those values include being a leader, a producer. That requires to delay your instant selfish gratification and actually think outside of yourself. You provide value to your family and community, but you do it on your own terms.

So Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, etc.. They all think of themselves as something close to a Messiah. But they aren't working to buy a big house or a luxury car and brag about it, they aren't concerned about little status games.

They had a big mission outside of themselves.

Elon Musk wants his kids and future generations to live in another planet. He's thinking outside of himself. But he's fulfilling HIS vision, he has full certainty about it.

He doesn't care if other people disagree. He doesn't debate.

Every single relevant political or religious figure is like this. Buddha, in as much as he preached to renounce to your Ego... he surely believed HE had the cure for humanity's problems and everyone else was blind.

The bottom line is, slavemasters can use ANY line or concept to trick you, ONLY if you allow them to seduce you.

"Focus on yourself first"
"Follow YOUR passion"

Is ALSO another Matrix script so you become an easy target of consumerism and a short term thinking slave.

 

[Shono]

I will add that I think Ryan Holiday is useless.

I agree and think anyone who's entire identity revolves around sounding like a broken record, spending half his speaking time repeating archaic quotes, and has 0 original ideas, is pretty useless.

 

[Skroob]

I knew someone was gonna bring Steve into this…

Steve Jobs is a personal hero of mine, and also a well known a**hole. By many accounts, his time at Next helped mellow him, and his second tenure at Apple was a lot smoother sailing than the first. FWIW, his creative impact at Apple his second time around was far more important than the first go, which was far more driven by Woz’s innovation than anything else.

Personally, I hope to be able to emulate the creativity and the success without the a**hole part. Wish me luck.

As for how he died, far too soon… he died of treatable pancreatic cancer, which he chose not to actually treat until it was too late. Instead, he went with woo homeopathic nonsense that would be more at home in a Reddit thread. It’s an absolute shame. Think of the things he might have done right now.

Being right about some things doesn’t mean you’re right about everything. Something @Black_Dragon43 and I actually agree on: appeal to authority is a mistake. Form your own opinions.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Kak]

I agree and think anyone who's entire identity revolves around sounding like a broken record, spending half his speaking time repeating archaic quotes, and has 0 original ideas, is pretty useless.

Damn. Your posts are getting better.

 

[Matt Lee]

the exact opposite of what the gurus you guys follow tell you.

Fun fact: If you look at the popular gurus in almost any niche, they have a very strong sense of identity. Their ego is out of this world and is well protected by their self-beliefs.

It takes having a big ego to believe and act on a delusional grand goal... like becoming a multi-millionaire in 10 years' time. Or becoming someone others look up to. Your kids. Your family. Your friends.

It takes a delusionally confident AND arrogant guy to believe he has something valuable to offer to the world despite all of those before and after him.

It's already absurd enough to take a chance on yourself and say you want out of a rigged script.

But hey, people might not admit it but selling the idea of being "like", "easy going", and "humble" is easier for the mass(and most people) to buy than being driven, ambitious, and hardcore.

I think it's like what MJ says in his book about the paradox of practice. Watch what top players do and not what they say. A strong ego will get you where you want. After reaching the destination, preaching about being humble is how you build an "easy to buy" image/character people can relate to.

There's also the argument that having a big ego makes you a bad person or generally hard to get along with.. but what does being humble have to do with being morally superior, kind, or good?

You probably know a good few "humble" guys who are ready to turn their backs on you if a bigger carrot is given to them. It's like how some people will intentionally mention they're part of some charity or religion to build trust when they talk to you.

 

[perchboy]

I want other people to think im successful. I want all the ladies. I want to feel like im the best.

If I had no ego I would be jacking off and playing video-games right now

But I’m never gonna settle for a mediocre life. My ego pushes me to be the best.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Kevin88660]

Steve Jobs was known to be a MASSIVE prick — he told Elon Musk he’s too insignificant to meet him

Here’s another script you’ve been sold by the slave masters: “the ego is your enemy”

So says Buddhism, Stoicism and most of the popular philosophies around.

And you know why they tell you that? Because someone with no ego causes no problems… in other words, someone with no ego isn’t even a threat!

But look at the most successful people in business and you’ll meet the biggest egos around. Steve Jobs was known to be a MASSIVE prick — he told Elon Musk he’s too insignificant to meet him. Can you imagine YOU saying that to Elon Musk? And don’t answer it, because I know the answer already. You can’t!

Larry Ellison was a MASSIVE SOB. Jack Welch was a BALL BUSTER — they called him Neutron Jack because in the morning you were hired, and in the afternoon you were fired!

John D Rockefeller was a ruthless hard bastard who thought God created all the world’s oil to be under his dominion.

And I can go on…

All these guys have one thing in common — gigantic egos.

In fact, I’ll say that the most successful businesspeople are the most controlled by their egos — the exact opposite of what the gurus you guys follow tell you.

And yet… you still continue to follow them… you still continue to do your meditation… you still continue to follow the same path that may certainly lead to happiness, but not to wealth and success.

What you want to do instead is strengthen the ego. The stronger your ego, the more you’ll feel that you deserve, and the hungrier you’ll be. Where do you think confidence comes from? From a weak ego? Certainly not.

In business you will be competing against people like those whom I’ve mentioned. You need to be ready. And you won’t get ready by meditating.

I personally like the term "being competitive and fear of losing out."

That could include most of the benefits of having a big ego without much of the negative baggage.

 

[Xeon]

So basically don't be a nice guy, master the art of giving 0 F*cks, be the bad guy, egomaniacs have a higher chance of success in life, don't be like Nikola Tesla or Wozniack.

 

[Pain]

As 27 years old loser how had achived nothing in life .. i Lost years of my life beign weak .. i was raised by my mother that has no ego .. i was smart enough to feel that something is wrong with me .. m'y Friends are very competitive .. the most sucsseful ones have Big egos .. they try to
be the best at anything they do .. u need to be selfish to sucseed in life .. i Come to this conclusion After beign a loser for long Time .. and After Reading tons of this bulshit spiritual Books .. i was dump engouh sitting there with 0 in the bank and no Job .. enjoying inner peace and doing meditation and trying to bring peace to this world .. and all of this crap .. now i need to change direction i started Reading David goggnis Book cant hurt me .. i will stop consuming any spiritual bulshit and start bullding my destroyed ego and mind fulled with Eckhart Tolle nonsense garbage

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Pain]

I spend years doing meditation beign humble and calm sharing peace and raising my vibration .. doing meditation and inner work .. im i happy ? Im thinking of commiting sucide daily !! Why ? Because i was raised with weak to no existant Ego destroyed by years of trauma and CPTSD .. my father has very strong ego my mother was weak as f**.. he uses his ego to destroy her self esteem and make her weaker she raised me to become naïve and weak .. i remember myself crying in every situation that need challenges ..
You will suffer because u are weak
Or will suffer to become strong

F*ck all those spiritual guru that says ego is the enemy .. weak ego is the enemy weak ego Can lead to lifelong poverty and miseary .. me as an exemple 27 years old man living with m'y parents never had a job failed at universty cause i was bullied from m'y Friends. Raised to feel that i didnt deserve anything.. and planning to kill myself soon . That's what not having a strong ego Can Do for u

 

[Prdgy]

And this is where I think you’re wrong. They had huge egos BEFORE they were successful, in fact their ego is precisely what drove them to be successful. They felt they deserve it, over and above everyone else. If they didn’t they would never have pushed as hard as they did.

You're confounding ego to mean drive and willpower. Ego is indeed a part of the willpower equation but it is not a necessary one. Everyone has their own "ferrari" of some sort, something they strive for. If their primary drive is "I know I'm better than everyone else and will work hard for it" then it's not ego, it's willpower. Ego would be an asserted self-importance, which is incongruous with the spirit of entrepreneurship: to receive money, you must give value. The ego does not proclaim: "I must do anything possible to achieve this" it is "I deserve all of this".

 

[rjdgreat]

I think it's a matter of using common sense and discernment.

What "your ego is your enemy" means, in a good way, "F*ck the idea you have of Yourself".

If you want to learn something new, your ego will try to prevent you from doing that to preserve you from failing. You need to let go of the idea of "I'm not good at x, y, z".

THAT'S when your ego sucks.

Or when you need to live a frugal lifestyle in the short term so you can enjoy the rewards. Your ego will tell you that you need to own a house, a car, etc. so you can keep up with 'friends'. So in that case your Ego is a clear obstacle too.

-----
More contradictions...

When you decide to improve yourself you need to be SELFISH. Most religions or philosophies tell you to not be selfish. But most people use that as an excuse to be a people pleaser.

Being selfless isn't living by other people's values.

It's living by your own values, but those values include being a leader, a producer. That requires to delay your instant selfish gratification and actually think outside of yourself. You provide value to your family and community, but you do it on your own terms.

So Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, etc.. They all think of themselves as something close to a Messiah. But they aren't working to buy a big house or a luxury car and brag about it, they aren't concerned about little status games.

They had a big mission outside of themselves.

Elon Musk wants his kids and future generations to live in another planet. He's thinking outside of himself. But he's fulfilling HIS vision, he has full certainty about it.

He doesn't care if other people disagree. He doesn't debate.

Every single relevant political or religious figure is like this. Buddha, in as much as he preached to renounce to your Ego... he surely believed HE had the cure for humanity's problems and everyone else was blind.

The bottom line is, slavemasters can use ANY line or concept to trick you, ONLY if you allow them to seduce you.

"Focus on yourself first"
"Follow YOUR passion"

Is ALSO another Matrix script so you become an easy target of consumerism and a short term thinking slave.

Yeah even humility means "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less."
we just need to build the right ego and use it as a good force here on earth.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[constant]

And this is where I think you’re wrong. They had huge egos BEFORE they were successful, in fact their ego is precisely what drove them to be successful. They felt they deserve it, over and above everyone else. If they didn’t they would never have pushed as hard as they did

Well, if they just have a big ego and don’t work hard or learn, that’s a recipe for failure… you need a big ego AND hard work + willingness to learn. A big ego can give you the drive to work harder and the willingness to learn though.

Usually the people who fall in the category you describe don’t really have a big ego in the first place. They’re just pretending.

I don't disagree that big ego is useful. Those who believe that they can take what they deserve, shall take.

The problems happen when ego starts creating irrationality.

Then why wasn’t Woz ever as rich as Steve if it’s all about the “successful product”? Because Steve conned him and was a much better businessman, who took as much as possible for himself. From the very beginning. The very first computer they sold, Steve lied to Woz about the price and kept most of the money. He didn’t recognize his own daughter!! Refused to recognize her even though he knew she was his and she was his responsibility. Because she conflicted with his vision of dominating computers and building a huge company — he had no time for a daughter.

So he was the farthest thing from a good human being. And this in large part is why he became as successful as he did. Now ask yourself — are you willing to make these sacrifices? And if you’re not, don’t complain that you’re not a billionaire — because the rest of the guys you’re competing against at that level ARE willing to make them.

Yes, sacrifices are necessary.
Jobs became successful because he made those sacrifices to ensure the success of his company.
Being a prick was his way of doing things.
If I have to be one too for success, so be it.
It doesn't mean that it's necessary to park in handicapped spots. That has nothing to do with his success in the phone industry.

 

[Johnny boy]

Everyone disagrees about ego for a couple reasons

1. Everyone has a different definition of it.
2. Some people are losers and others are winners

Ego meaning arrogance: Good. Losers hate on this and everyone thinks this is what ego is.

Ego meaning solipsism: Bad. This is nuanced. The person with this kind of ego is not confident at all. They are SO self centered that they think the world is watching them so they are scared to make mistakes. They can’t step out of their own mind for half a second to see the opportunities outside of what is explicitly shown to them. Most average people have a massive ego in this way. Completely emotionally immature and doomed by their own nearsightedness. This is some NPC shit.

See things from all angles, think larger than just yourself, see that to everyone else, “you” are “him” and everybody is asking what’s in it for them instead of how to help you. Remove that ego and gain clarity.

And then go be an arrogant son of a bitch who can’t be stopped and take over everything. Have that ego.

Two definitions, two entirely different things. One a weakness, the other a strength.

 

[Oso]

But look at the most successful people in business and you’ll meet the biggest egos around. Steve Jobs was known to be a MASSIVE prick — he told Elon Musk he’s too insignificant to meet him. Can you imagine YOU saying that to Elon Musk? And don’t answer it, because I know the answer already. You can’t!

I have absolutely no problem saying this to Elon Musk, or anyone else. Would he laugh in my face and walk away? Absolutely, and rightfully so. That said, success doesn't automatically mean someone is entitled to my time/attention. He's rich, he isn't "God."

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Black_Dragon43]

56 and he hit the dirt early...

God's telling you something with that.

This is an interesting point, thanks for bringing it up.

Personally I'm not a big fan of the "there will be (worldly) consequences (in this life) for bad behavior" line of argument. There are perfectly good people who hit the dirt early, and perfectly terrible people who live into their old age. Just look at Putin for example.

This isn't to say that there won't ever be worldly consequences -- often there will be, just not always. And those consequences will come from other people, not from God.

Remember, God's sun shines on the good and on the wicked alike.

Are there spiritual consequences for bad behavior? Sure -- it makes you paranoid, unable to form deeper relationships with others, unable to love, lonely and isolated and so on. Do those consequences impede worldly success? Not necessarily.

I don't think people like Steve Jobs are ruthless in the way, for example, a psychopath would be ruthless... meaning just for the sake of it. They are ruthless in pursuit of their goal, and they do it in a smart way. Just as @constant said above, they don't park in the handicapped spot -- that's not the kind of ruthlessness they have. Most often this is done by avoiding morally Black areas, and keeping a zig zag path between morally White and morally Grey areas.

Here's an example to illustrate my distinction... say you have a dropshipping store.

A morally Black area is selling the goods and never shipping anything, just keeping the money. That is bound to get you in trouble sooner or later, and any smart businessperson, even if they're not ethical, will avoid it.

A morally Grey area is writing on the website "product shipped from stock" so that you make the customer think it's from YOUR stock, but you really mean from your SUPPLIER'S stock. Notice how this will probably trick the customer, but it won't likely get you in legal trouble, depending of course on where you're based and what the laws of the country are.

And obviously a morally White area is being perfectly honest -- "product shipped from China".

Now does the morally Grey seller have an advantage, in worldly terms? I'd say so. Just like a good lawyer is going to give the best defence possible for his client, even if the client may be the worst criminal, a good copywriter would have to choose the most advantageous option for his client, and if his client is OK with using it, then that's his business.

 

[constant]

56 and he hit the dirt early...

God's telling you something with that.

He had cancer but refused surgery.

 

[wyattnorton]

This is an interesting point, thanks for bringing it up.

Personally I'm not a big fan of the "there will be (worldly) consequences (in this life) for bad behavior" line of argument. There are perfectly good people who hit the dirt early, and perfectly terrible people who live into their old age. Just look at Putin for example.

This isn't to say that there won't ever be worldly consequences -- often there will be, just not always. And those consequences will come from other people, not from God.

Remember, God's sun shines on the good and on the wicked alike.

Are there spiritual consequences for bad behavior? Sure -- it makes you paranoid, unable to form deeper relationships with others, unable to love, lonely and isolated and so on. Do those consequences impede worldly success? Not necessarily.

I don't think people like Steve Jobs are ruthless in the way, for example, a psychopath would be ruthless... meaning just for the sake of it. They are ruthless in pursuit of their goal, and they do it in a smart way. Just as @constant said above, they don't park in the handicapped spot -- that's not the kind of ruthlessness they have. Most often this is done by avoiding morally Black areas, and keeping a zig zag path between morally White and morally Grey areas.

Here's an example to illustrate my distinction... say you have a dropshipping store.

A morally Black area is selling the goods and never shipping anything, just keeping the money. That is bound to get you in trouble sooner or later, and any smart businessperson, even if they're not ethical, will avoid it.

A morally Grey area is writing on the website "product shipped from stock" so that you make the customer think it's from YOUR stock, but you really mean from your SUPPLIER'S stock. Notice how this will probably trick the customer, but it won't likely get you in legal trouble, depending of course on where you're based and what the laws of the country are.

And obviously a morally White area is being perfectly honest -- "product shipped from China".

Now does the morally Grey seller have an advantage, in worldly terms? I'd say so. Just like a good lawyer is going to give the best defence possible for his client, even if the client may be the worst criminal, a good copywriter would have to choose the most advantageous option for his client, and if his client is OK with using it, then that's his business.

Indeed.

The moral/virtuous choices are almost always a grey area to contend with.

Within your “morally black area” let’s say the company takes the consumers moneys and doesn’t send the product. This seems bad right?

And what if I told you the product was human trafficking and taking the money was a way to track down people buying other people.

Now this is a “good”

The proper use of ego can reward a person financially because it takes that to become successful.

I am not sure I want to live like Michael Singer or Eckhart Tolle… complete “spiritually awakened” beings.

But perhaps that is a discussion for later in my life.

22 years old so I have theoretical time to experience and see.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Belesarius]

Everyone disagrees about ego for a couple reasons

1. Everyone has a different definition of it.
2. Some people are losers and others are winners

Ego meaning arrogance: Good. Losers hate on this and everyone thinks this is what ego is.

Ego meaning solipsism: Bad. This is nuanced. The person with this kind of ego is not confident at all. They are SO self centered that they think the world is watching them so they are scared to make mistakes. They can’t step out of their own mind for half a second to see the opportunities outside of what is explicitly shown to them. Most average people have a massive ego in this way. Completely emotionally immature and doomed by their own nearsightedness. This is some NPC shit.

See things from all angles, think larger than just yourself, see that to everyone else, “you” are “him” and everybody is asking what’s in it for them instead of how to help you. Remove that ego and gain clarity.

And then go be an arrogant son of a bitch who can’t be stopped and take over everything. Have that ego.

Two definitions, two entirely different things. One a weakness, the other a strength.

Extremely important point that people define ego differently and there are multiple words for it. Another form of "Ego", which I don't know the word for is extremely dangerous, and it is the know it all, I am the best at everything without spending a second on it, ego. In my town a lot of young guys think they are the best fighters in the world and they could knock out a Tiger in a 1 on 1. They think that as long as they get knocked out cold. Morgues and hospitals are full of people with huge egos, but no skill or experience backing their huge ego up.

 

[Kevin88660]

Indeed.

The moral/virtuous choices are almost always a grey area to contend with.

Within your “morally black area” let’s say the company takes the consumers moneys and doesn’t send the product. This seems bad right?

And what if I told you the product was human trafficking and taking the money was a way to track down people buying other people.

Now this is a “good”

The proper use of ego can reward a person financially because it takes that to become successful.

I am not sure I want to live like Michael Singer or Eckhart Tolle… complete “spiritually awakened” beings.

But perhaps that is a discussion for later in my life.

22 years old so I have theoretical time to experience and see.

Most rationale choices are in the grey area.

Because traditional morality emphasizes on good will without factoring resources and economics.

On aggregate human behaviors are predictable. There are no inherently good or bad people on aggregate. When the total wealth and resources begin to collapse you will see the worst side of human behavior.

You cannot be good in a “stupid way” burning your money because you will go broke real soon.

It doesn’t pay to be bad either, at least in business. People do not start trusting you in the beginning. People assume you to be “bad” and not trusting you without any prior experience or recommendation.

 

[wyattnorton]

They are an interesting case, especially Michael Singer. He is someone who succeeded without stepping any moral lines. I admire and respect him. However, there is a cautionary note... Michael Singer was worth $100s of millions of dollars at one point. By the looks of it, most of that money is now gone in the huge FBI securities fraud fiasco. And it looks like his own executives tried to frame him.

As Machiavelli put it:
"Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good"

Whereas a man like Michael Singer doesn't care about money. If the money is there, he's happy. If the money isn't there, he's happy. Such a man has no trouble giving up his money if he needs to, because he's not attached to it. I think people like him are extremely rare.

Perhaps this is the ideal? Perhaps it is not.

When I mention Steve Jobs dying early, I am not solely relying on God to be the one that "struck" him down. However, there is a case to made that the man died early from pancreatic cancer because of the constant stress/ballistic mentality he was putting himself through.

Scientifically, someone with high amounts of stress and anger can have serious health problems. Do all people in positions of power, stress, anger have health problems? No, just look at John D Rockefeller... 97 years old and kicking his grandkids a$$.

I love making money as I am sure you do. When I take a $10k hit to fix up a property or a buy new equipment for landscaping, it sucks. But I'm not sitting there trying to money grub and keep my hands on the cash already earned.

A healthy ego would realize it needs to let go of some money to make more money.

An unhealthy ego would think the world is out to get it and "take" its money.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Spenny]

I'm sorry this is derailing the thread, but this post is really bugging me.

I remember you making this post. You're going through tough times, understandable. Johnny gave you superb advice to get you out of a rut.

- get in good shape from a regular weight lifting routine
- sleep with cute girls
- travel somewhere beautiful
- accomplish a list of goals over the next two months.
- eat healthy food like steak and eggs and broccoli
- dress your best and clean your life up.
- make some F*ckin $$$$

Your replied with

There is no depression .. depression are unmet needs .. your words kills the p**y inside me

Then I see this.

As 27 years old loser how had achived nothing in life .. i Lost years of my life beign weak

failed at universty cause i was bullied from m'y Friends. Raised to feel that i didnt deserve anything

i was dump engouh

planning to kill myself soon

What the F*ck happened?

The fact you're still in this mindset shows you've done nothing. Terminate these thoughts immediately. Do not associate with this idenity. Do something.

You're still speaking the same as you did three months ago. It is cancerous for the soul. Do something.

You've been given the answers. Do something.

This forum is supportive, but it doesn't back bullshit. I seriously pray you're not in the same situation in three months time.

Note I forgot to add. Here is something easy Change your name. You label yourself with pain for godsake. If you cant think of a postive one DM and we'll figure something out.

 

[Spenny]

Here’s another script you’ve been sold by the slave masters: “the ego is your enemy”

Great post, as you say, many powerful people hold egos, people are attracted to them & they're intriguing. It's also fantastic to remind us that much of the dogma that is spewed in not for our benefit.

I recently heard "be yourself", oh my God....



People interpret that as an excuse for sloth, lust, glutty.... Yuck.

Better way is to be authentic BUT always tinkering.