Small salary
They pay us money for the work done. They are the equivalent of our contribution to the overall process of social development. Fruitful work should be well paid.
Don’t be afraid to ask for more if the time has come and management is holding out on a promotion!
Excess hours or days worked must be paid. If a job does not have prospects for growth and increased income, then there is no need to cling to it. There are many other places in the world where your efforts will be properly appreciated. Look for something new! Is it selfish to act in your own interests?
From Aristotle to the present day
The best minds of humanity have discussed egoism since Aristotle. There was no unambiguous view on this issue then, and there is no one now. In Russia, 30-40 years ago, there was an opinion that it was bad to be selfish, and that thinking only about yourself and your needs was shameful and very ugly. General prosperity was supposed to be achieved by putting collective interests above personal ones. At school, children were explained that “I” is the last letter of the alphabet, and parents were encouraged to share toys and treats, even if they really didn’t want to. To endure for the sake of the common good, to give in so as not to spoil relationships, to give up, to bend, to be above it...
As the years passed, yesterday's children grew up, faced with the fact that everything was far from so simple. Political and economic changes in the country have led to the emergence of a completely different philosophy - think exclusively about yourself and fight for your well-being with the whole world, no matter what. Caring for others and sympathy for others is now a sign of weakness and lack of vitality. The ideal to which one was supposed to strive became a selfish and even self-centered view of the world: “Love yourself, don’t give a damn about everyone, and success awaits you in life.”
Perhaps such a philosophy of life has led a number of people to prosperity, however, the coexistence of egocentrics invariably turns into a fighting ring. They constantly find out among themselves “who will win” and whose interests are more important. It is difficult to deny that living next to a complete egoist is difficult and very unpleasant for others. Altruistic people in such a society suffer because their interests are not taken into account and their needs are regularly infringed.
I remember a vivid example of gross, unhealthy selfishness - a friend once told me about the outrageous behavior of her ex-husband. With a wife and young son, he regularly emptied the refrigerator completely, not caring at all whether there was anything left for others. During such raids, he could even eat the last children's cottage cheese obtained from the dairy kitchen. To his wife’s reproaches he answered: “Well, I wanted to,” “Are you sorry?” or “What are you yelling about, you can go and buy it.” Is it worth clarifying that he believed that his wife should run for groceries because he was “very tired after work” and “has the right to relax in his own home.” The last straw came when, on New Year's Eve, the husband secretly ate all the chocolates from the children's gift and left a holiday package full of candy wrappers for the child under the tree.
Living in such an atmosphere is impossible, coexistence becomes destructive, at least for one of the participants, society as a whole turns toxic and unhealthy. And it is precisely such extreme manifestations of selfishness that really need to be fought. First of all, in yourself, developing empathy and compassion through self-reflection and conscious study of the emotional structure of other people. And then with those around you, consciously building healthy boundaries in communication, when interacting with them, stopping attempts to manipulate you, openly declaring your interests and defending your rights.
Personal relationships
Everyone knows the concepts of “ex” or “former”. Some people try to remain friends after a breakup. How pitiful their meetings and communication sometimes look! You should not continue communication if even a photo on a social network causes pain. This is a form of self-mockery. Reasonable egoism is the saving grace here. Think, first of all, about yourself and what advantages have opened up to you. Don't maintain a broken connection and it will die on its own.
How to cultivate healthy egoism in yourself
Make friends with yourself
For a long time you considered the desires and needs of others as priorities, and therefore could throw off the focus on your own. You will have to work on your mistakes and figure out what you really love, whether you like the position you are in, and so on.
Try it
