One of the most commonly asked questions in the psychotherapy circle is, “What is the difference between self-esteem vs. ego?” The answer can be quite mind-boggling. However, it does not have to be so. A good therapist will be able to help a client to distinguish what is important to them, and what is peripheral to their needs. Below are some of the differences between the two:
Ego: The higher self-esteem is more concerned with achieving one’s own goals and being a competent person. This is where one begins to differentiate between what is important to them and what is important to other people. For instance, if a person has achieved high achievements and is very concerned about becoming famous, they have probably developed a higher self-esteem. However, if that same person is concerned about having a good job and making money, their level of self-esteem is probably a little different. And that is okay.
Self-Esteem: It all comes down to how a person thinks. The more one believes that they are a worthwhile person, the more likely that they will feel worthy. The higher self-esteem individual will also have higher standards for themselves and others.
When comparing self-esteem and ego, it is important to remember that there is a wide range of what is considered to be a high or low self-esteem. For example, while it may be true that someone else’s success may cause one’s self-image to be relatively low, that same person might have a much higher self-esteem and be completely self-confident. So in order to understand the difference between the two, it is necessary to look at how the self-esteem is being expressed.
Self-Ego: On one hand, the ego is one’s inner belief in ones own ability to do something. This is so important to an individual that it is almost like a religion. If there is something that is believed by one so much that it is worth dedicating one’s life to, then this is considered self-esteem. When comparing the two, it is important to remember that when someone has high self-esteem, they tend to look down on those who do not.
However, this does not mean that a person with a low self-esteem does not have any beliefs or feelings towards those who do not measure up to their standards. In fact, the reverse is actually true. It is possible for a person with a high sense of self-esteem to be blind to the faults of another. It might be the case that a person has a genuine concern and empathy for someone else who are less fortunate than they are. However, if their concern is directed at their own success, they will place themselves above the person. This can eventually lead to an extreme form of selfishness where a person cares more about their own needs and wants than those of another person.
Ego: Another characteristic of high self-esteem is having a healthy self-image. This does not mean that the person will brag about their accomplishments or be overly confident. Instead, it means that they will accept the fact that they do not possess all the answers and that another person has the capacity to learn things that they may have so far been oblivious to. It also means that they will set standards for themselves that they consider to be reasonable and be willing to meet these standards rather than their own.
When a person values themselves so highly and works hard to achieve their goals, they are in direct alignment with what it means to be successful. If you feel that you are striving to be more successful than your goals, you should examine your own behaviors. Are they in alignment with the way you feel about yourself? You may be surprised to find that your own behavior may be the reason that you are not achieving as much success as you desire.