Let’s talk about pride and how it can affect your business.
Here are 3 examples of definitions or how the word is used:
- A feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. – Merriam Webster Dictionary
- “Pride takes a minor accomplishment and makes it feel like a major one.” – Ryan Holliday, Ego is the Enemy
- “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” – the Bible
As you can see this little word can totally screw up your mindset.
Here is an example:
You have achieved something and you want to share it because hell you worked hard for it and you are proud of your tenacity, your courage and your work. BUT at the same time you are worried that said pride will make you seem haughty, greedy and it will automatically entail negative consequences. So you keep quiet at best. At worst you are (sometimes even subconsciously) ashamed of feeling proud in the first place.
So it keeps you from sharing your message, your lessons learned and keeps others from being inspired by you. I am not saying that you should be boasting nonstop; neither am I saying that you should automatically look down on others. What I am saying is that my ego and pride are different and that pride is not a given evil.
Do remember definition 1) and evaluate whether your feeling is ego, inflated, or even haughty but leave automatic shameful feelings out of it.
It will help you grow, it will help your business flourish.
