Check your Ego at the door??

Posted by Cam on Aug 25, 2011 in Cameron Cassidy, Coach's tips |

This is a common CrossFit saying but always makes me think about Sigmund Freud. Freud’s theory of how our personal develops is where this idea of the “ego” came from. To be quite frank the saying should actually be “check your Id at the door” Let me explain:

Freud’s theory about how our personality develops is composed of three elements: the Id, the Ego, and the Superego. When you are born the Id is the only component of your personality present, which is entirely unconscious, and is driven by our pleasure principle. So when a baby wants food, or their

diaper changed, that is the only concern for that baby and he or she will pout, cry, and scream until they get it. The Id is very primitive and necessary for a baby’s survival but has to be controlled at some point. This is where the ego comes into play.

Without the Ego you would live entirely based off of your pleasure principal, which would most certainly be fun, but not practical. Imagine always doing exactly what makes you happy without any concern for the repercussions. (I do think about this a lot) So the Ego, which is developed from the Id, is based off of the reality principal. Essentially it is responsible for satisfying the needs of the Id while still being ‘socially acceptable’. It would be nice to take a poop in your pants any time you wanted but your ego tells you to use a toilet. Damn ego.

I hope you are starting to see why having a ‘big’ ego is a silly idea that has been misconstrued over time. Your ego actually controls the balance between your Id and Superego. Your Superego (one of my favourite psychology topics to discuss) is developed around the age of 5 and consists of our internalized moral standards. So basically is it all the rules our parents and society tells us is appropriate. (Side note: Freud believed your personality is finished developing by age 5) So when you want to poop your superego thinks about how your mother told you it is inappropriate and you should find a toilet. The Superego and Ego work together to suppress and control the Id.

When I think of a CrossFitter who has a big ego or trouble “checking their ego at the door” I think of someone who doesn’t think of the repercussions. They want to do a workout at a certain weight because “that’s the rx’d weight”. They don’t think about what would be best for them to have a good workout or improve their fitness. Now I know the term ego has evolved over the years and has a new definition but I still think about Freud’s theory of personality development every time I hear somebody say “Check your ego at the door.”

Cam

One Response to “Check your Ego at the door??”

Daniel Sont says:
November 11, 2011 at 8:36 am

I think this can also apply to guys who are trying to be #1 coming in off the street, but are getting beaten by middle-aged women. Gonna have to realize that having a 6-pack does not mean you are in shape .

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