Pride can be a tricky thing. In the right amount, it can drive you forward, but too much of it can hold you back. I know this from personal experience.

I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder of Hack Spirit and a mindfulness enthusiast.

Today, I want to share some insights about those moments when your pride might be standing in your way.

Psychology has identified the following signs that it’s time to let go of your pride and take the next step.

1) Failure isn’t your enemy

We’ve all been brought up to believe that failure is something to be avoided at all costs.

But, as it turns out, failure can actually be your best teacher.

Psychology tells us that pride often gets in the way of our ability to learn from our mistakes.

We become so invested in being right or successful that we ignore the valuable lessons that failure can provide.

Our pride can even prevent us from trying new things, for fear of not being immediately perfect or successful.

This avoidance can limit our growth and potential in significant ways.

So, the next time you’re faced with a setback or mistake, consider it an opportunity.

Take a deep breath, swallow your pride, and ask yourself: “What can I learn from this?”

As renowned psychologist Carl Rogers once said, “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.”

Embrace failure as a chance to grow and evolve, and you might just find that your pride becomes less of a barrier to your success.

2) When relationships are at stake

This one hits close to home for me. There was a time when my pride nearly cost me a dear friendship.

I had a disagreement with a close friend over something relatively insignificant.

But instead of acknowledging that I could be wrong and apologizing, my pride stepped in.

I held onto my viewpoint fiercely, even though it was causing a rift in our relationship.

Psychology tells us that pride can often cloud our judgment and prevent us from seeing things from another’s perspective.

It can make us defensive, stubborn, and difficult to relate to.

It was only when I realized the damage my pride was causing that I decided to put it aside.

I apologized, admitted my fault, and our relationship was able to heal.

3) When personal growth is on the line

Now, let’s talk about personal growth. Pride, while it can be a source of motivation and self-esteem, can also hinder our development.

It can prevent us from acknowledging our weaknesses and working on them.

In my book, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego“, I discuss the importance of setting your ego aside to achieve personal growth.

It’s about understanding that you don’t have all the answers and being open to learning from others.

Pride can make us resistant to change and new ideas.

It can make us believe we’re already at our peak, and thus, halt our progress.

As the renowned psychologist Carol Dweck said, “In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities are fixed traits. In a growth mindset, people understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching, and persistence.”

Setting aside your pride doesn’t mean diminishing your worth; it means allowing yourself room to grow.

4) In the face of criticism

Criticism can be a bitter pill to swallow, especially when we are proud of our work or efforts.

But psychology suggests that how we handle criticism can be a significant determinant of our success.

When our pride gets in the way, we can dismiss criticism outright, viewing it as an attack rather than an opportunity for growth.

This reaction can prevent us from benefiting from the insights of others and improving ourselves or our work.

According to cognitive psychology, we need to develop a skill called cognitive reframing.

This is a psychological technique that helps us change our mindset and view criticism as constructive feedback, not personal attacks.

Cognitive reframing allows us to see criticism as valuable information that can help us grow and improve.

It requires us to put our pride aside and consider the possibility that there is room for improvement.

5) When you’re always right

Here’s an unexpected one: you should consider setting your pride aside when you’re always right. Sounds counter-intuitive, doesn’t it?

That those who believe they’re always right are often driven by an inflated sense of self-worth and pride.

This belief can prevent us from questioning our assumptions, seeking new knowledge, or considering alternative viewpoints.

Being unerringly confident in our correctness can also harm our relationships and isolate us.

Others may feel unheard, invalidated, or simply frustrated when their perspectives are disregarded.

In my book, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego“, I explore ways to balance confidence with humility.

It’s about understanding that being right all the time isn’t as important as being open-minded and willing to learn.

As the esteemed psychologist Carl Jung once said, “The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.”

This includes accepting that we are not infallible and that there is always room for growth and learning.

6) When pride becomes arrogance

There’s a fine line between healthy pride and arrogance, and it’s essential to know when you’ve crossed it.

Healthy pride is about acknowledging your achievements and abilities without belittling others.

It’s about self-respect and self-confidence.

Arrogance, on the other hand, involves an inflated sense of self-importance and superiority over others.

It can lead to a lack of empathy, a resistance to feedback, and strained relationships.

Arrogance often stems from insecurity and can be a defense mechanism to hide perceived inadequacies.

But it can also hinder personal growth, as it prevents us from acknowledging our flaws and working on them.

So if you find yourself displaying signs of arrogance, it might be time to set your pride aside, reflect on your behavior, and work towards developing more humility and empathy.

Final thoughts

In my book, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego“, I delve deeper into this topic.

I explore how cultivating humility and managing our ego can lead to a more fulfilling life.

As we conclude, I invite you to reflect on your own experiences with pride. Are there times when your pride has held you back?

Or perhaps propelled you forward? Acknowledge these moments and consider how they have shaped you.