26 July 2022

It’s not always easy to tell if one’s choices are being made through the ego or intuition. However, if you follow your intuition, your life is likely to be certainly more enjoyable and meaningful. Follow your ego and you might be successful in many certain ways, but you’re likely to find yourself wondering why you are not as happy as you think you should be.

Learning to determine whether you are being guided by your intuition or ego can make a huge difference in your life. While there are no hard and fast rules to make the distinction between the two, there are tendencies that can serve as a guide for you.

Consider these differences:

1.     Ego-based decisions are grounded in fear and self-preservation. If you decide to go to law school primarily for reasons of financial security, that’s ego. If you decide to not ask out that beautiful woman or good-looking gentleman that lives on the corner, that’s ego.
 
 

2.     Ego-based decisions typically have emotion connected to them. A choice made from a place of intuition just feels “right” and often comes out of left field. You might be weeding the garden and be hit with the idea of becoming a florist. The resulting battle in your head is your ego fighting back. The ego does not like unpredictable outcomes.

3.     Ego-based decisions consider external results. Are you writing a book in order to have a bestseller, or are you writing a book because you’re fascinated with the idea of writing a book and want your ideas to put to paper? Are you taking an action to gain certain results (such as financial or fame), or does the action itself provide sufficient satisfaction?
 
 

4.     Ego-based decisions involve rationalisation. Your ego is wonderful at convincing you that its choice is the right one. Thoughts such as “I’ll never get that job. Imagine how disappointed I’ll feel when it doesn’t work out. People like me are destined to only be supervisors, but there’s nothing wrong with that. I can still have a decent life” all point to the ego trying to make the final decision.

·       It’s really just a rationalisation based on fear – fear of success or fear of failure.
 
 

·       The ego tries to justify itself with facts, figures, and logic. Intuition doesn’t require these tricks to compel you. If you’re using logic to convince yourself of a course of action, you can bet that’s your ego coming out in true colour. 

5.     Intuition does not judge. A thought or decision arising from intuition does not involve judgment statements about right or wrong, good or bad. Intuitive thoughts feel calm, relaxed, and peaceful. There’s a universal truth to an idea that arises from intuition.
 
 

6.     Is the expected gratification coming from within or is it external. Would you make the same choice if no one would ever know? Would you purchase that BMW or Harley Davidson motorcycle if no one ever knew you owned it? Or do you simply love German vehicles and love the idea of owning a precision car or maybe that fun dirt bike? Are you driven by money and admiration or by personal satisfaction?

While the ego can be very limiting, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s wrong. Remember that the ego’s motivation is largely based on self-preservation. Your ego believes that it has your best interests at heart. Ignoring the ego can be challenging. It uses fear to influence you. It’s only natural to avoid fear and seek comfort as that is part of the inbuilt human reaction.

The trick is to realise when fear is holding you back from something bigger and better. Sometimes fear is keeping you from doing something foolish. Think before choosing which voice to follow. Use these tips above to help you make a decision that will bring you true happiness. Without living a life of happiness, you are merely going from one day to the next like a computerised function without realisation of what it is you are really doing. And if you are to live life in this manner then it is time to look at your personal life and ask yourself “what do I really want in this life that is satisfying for me and brings me true joy and happiness”?