In a study by Dr. Michael Norton of University of California-Irvine, and published in the Journal of Personality and Individual Differences, he compared self-esteem and ego in six different groups of people. The first group was made up of people who did not have very high self-esteem, but were successful at achieving success. The second group consisted of people who had a very low self-esteem, but were successful at achieving success. The last group consisted of people with extremely high self-esteem, but were unsuccessful at achieving success.
Dr. Norton then compared these two groups of people under similar circumstances. He found that those who had a low self-esteem were actually more susceptible to procrastination. Those with a high one were not prone to procrastination, but were not able to be successful. This study brought about much discussion as people began to wonder what it was about them that caused them to have such low self-esteem.
It is known that the mind of a person begins to develop at a very early age. This is called the self-concept. It is also known that being comfortable with who we are and embracing our uniqueness, contributes greatly to self-confidence. A person with a higher self-esteem has learned how to be comfortable with themselves, and what they have created, while those with a low self-esteem tend to be the overachievers, and believe that others should just “believe” what they are saying.
Many people feel that having a great success quotient is the ultimate secret to success. However, research and experience have shown that this is not necessarily so. People are not born leaders, they are born with certain attributes, and those traits become part of a person’s identity. For example, a person may become a leader, but if they lack the ability to motivate others, success will be elusive.
One thing that is important to remember when studying the study of self-esteem vs. ego, is that the concept of the ego or “I” is actually a construct, not an actual substance. Therefore, anything you may assume to be “the Ego” is actually just a belief. In fact, all your successes will be your beliefs about yourself! Therefore, the question of “whether or not self-esteem vs. ego are important to success” is merely a philosophical one, and one that only you can answer for yourself.
In order to be successful, a person must first become confident in his or her own abilities. By becoming so confident in their abilities, it is then possible to achieve goals that were previously thought to be unachievable. Self-confidence is the key to achieving success, therefore it is crucial to any person’s success. When a person is lacking in confidence, this will always lead to a situation of failure.
When a person becomes successful, he or she becomes more than successful. They achieve the goal of his or her achievement and then some. This success, in turn, empowers that person to accomplish more in life, and excel at all he or she does. This is because the confidence that the person gains in his or her abilities will help him or her to believe in himself more, therefore achieving even more success in his or her endeavors. In effect, as one rises in the area of success, the person’s level of personal and professional confidence also rises, because success, as we have seen, is synonymous with confidence.
Finally, it must be noted that in the area of personal success, it is the confidence of the person who achieves the goal that will ultimately affect the level of self-esteem they have, therefore it is important to take pride in your achievements. It is through the fear of rejection, or lack of acceptance, that many people lose the battle to achieve their goals. It therefore makes sense to take pride in your achievements. Self-esteem, when well-earned, can truly transform the way you view yourself, thereby helping you to become a better person, and achieving even greater success in your life. If you are unsure about how to go about improving yourself, you should consider working with a qualified therapist who can help you on a more personal level.