The almighty ego is what makes bad good, good great, and great extraordinary. I think without some type of ego there can be no success. Oddly enough we sometimes tend to view being egotistical as a "bad thing," but perhaps it's only a bad thing to those who don't have one (raises hand half-way). Egotistical people never seem to have a problem with other egotistical people because the have an understanding. Picture an exchange between egomaniacs going something like this, "hey, you think you're great? Me too! Let's ease on down the ego road together and make the rest of the world wish they were as great as us!" I've abandoned terms like swagger because it's passe and confidence because it doesn't quite capture the essence of the ego. When you don an ego people will treat you like you are the greatest of all time because you'll act like you are. Sure it helps to be able to back that up but it's not always necessary. Say it loud and people will shout with you.
What are the downsides to having an ego??? Envy from those who don't have one, plain and simple. Who cares what they call you, brush it off your shoulders like one of the greatest egos of modern time instructed you to do. Jigga man got so much ego he became ugly cute...one might even say ugly fine. If your ego is big enough you might even get your own anthem (slightly different ego but it's relative). Your ego might cause you to be labeled a narcissist? So what...it comes with the ego territory. Your ego is your game face and the game is 24/7/365 so you better inject some narcissism or your ego will be flawed and crack. Egos should never come across as a facade; if it does, you'll turn back into Larry Loser or Mudduck Monica before the clock strikes twelve. Losing your ego and turning (back) into a person without an ego is the only real downside.
EVERYONE wants an ego. Watch any movie or television show and you will see people broken down into mostly one of two categories, the alluring egotistical yet enduring citizens of Egomania, Brooklyn or the welcome mat people of Gum-Under-Your-Shoe, Georgia. Steve Urkel had Stefan, both Sherman and Julius had their own version of Buddy Love, Beyonce has Sasha, Sean Combs has Diddy, etcetera, etcetera. Hell Clark Kent is simply Superman WITHOUT the ego. There are entire movies dedicated to encouraging people to get an ego or envying people who have an ego. Ever see Revenge of the Nerds? How about Can't Buy Me Love? All of these media messages say the same thing, get an ego. Have you ever noticed that about 90% of what we do is dedicated to pursuing and perfecting our egos? Career choices, spousal choices, attire, street cred, finance, romance you name it, ego needs it; and you want that ego.
Some say that being egotistical is a bad thing. That's a farce. We love egos. I bet pastor Play on Playa at your church has an ego. I bet that nine out of ten times, at one point in his/her life s/he didn't. What better way to develop your ego and see it thrive than to have an entire congregation looking up to you? It's the American Idol of a spiritual life. Call it what you like, "turning your swagg on," whatever. The bottom line is we all need an ego in this life or we'll never make it. Find your ego. Create your ego. Feed your ego. Shoot, pray for an ego...just make sure you have one...you'll be happier for it.
