Build compassion, love, affection, and caring in your life, as this interpersonal warmth acts as a buffer against becoming an “unhinged narcissist” by fostering concern for others.
Focus your life on activities you are passionate about, aiming for “flow states” where you lose self-awareness, as this deep engagement reduces ego involvement and buffers narcissistic tendencies.
Make it a practice to take responsibility for mistakes and failures, as this improves your performance, earns respect from others, and serves as a good buffer for narcissism.
When addressing a partner’s narcissistic tendencies, frame desired changes as beneficial to them and their image (e.g., “great husbands do this”), rather than directly criticizing their narcissism to avoid defensiveness.
Recognize that constant self-regard feels unpleasant and hurts; intentionally shift your focus to others, as being other-focused feels much better and reduces self-centeredness.
Train your mind (e.g., through meditation) to pursue ambitious goals with the motivation of benefiting other beings, rather than self-aggrandizement, and practice non-attachment to outcomes to boost resilience.
Break down and understand the specific aspects of your own narcissism (e.g., entitlement, insecurity, risk-taking) to address and “fix” them more effectively.
If your narcissism involves a sense of entitlement, actively work on cultivating gratitude for your life to potentially become a happier person.
If your narcissism manifests as insecurity and a lack of confidence, actively work on being more confident to address this vulnerability.
If overconfidence leads to excessive financial or other risks, consider hiring someone to double-check your decisions or consciously dial back your risk-taking.
To prevent narcissistic tendencies in children, encourage them to develop skills in compassion, engage in activities they are passionate about, and take responsibility for their actions.
Allow children to experience natural consequences, especially through activities in nature or high-risk sports, as this fosters self-awareness and responsibility without interpersonal blame.
Think of ego as a tool in your toolbox: use it when necessary (e.g., for success), but learn to put it away to disengage from constant self-focus and enjoy other aspects of life.
Participate in balanced, fair competition as a way to learn about yourself, humble your ego when you “get your butt kicked,” and gain confidence in your abilities.
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