Not always pleasant to be around, the egocentric person remains focused on themselves to the detriment of their relationships. But can this defect be mitigated? Psychologist Johanna Rozenblum explains the process of being a little more open to others.
From the Latin “ego” which means “me” and “centrum” which means “the center”, the egocentric person naturally places himself at the center… of everything. And who therefore pays too little attention to others and their feelings. But if you have already received this criticism, know that egocentrism is not inevitable. You still have to make some effort to change.
Becoming aware of your behavior, the obligatory step
For Johanna Rozenblum, clinical psychologist and member of our expert committee, the egocentric person can change, or at least evolve, provided they take a decisive first step. “It all starts with becoming aware of your behavior. The first step to change is recognizing that your behavior is problematic. You have to be able to hear, work on yourself, accept feedback and criticism from caring people who can change this personality trait.” It is only from this observation that change can operate.
Understand the consequences of your actions
The second step comes down to understanding the impacts of one’s behavior on others. “By developing critical thinking, we can try to ask ourselves the question of what can cause discomfort, misunderstandings, conflicts, the feeling of neglect, individualism, in our behavior. Taking a little distance, or even asking questions, can allow us to understand what this arouses in others.”
Develop your capacity for empathy
It is also the time to develop one’s capacity for empathy by putting oneself in the place of others, and making the effort to listen to their sensitivity, their needs, their perspectives…”But the most difficult effort remains to do it without systematically having one’s own need to put oneself first. This is how we try to develop empathy.”
Develop active listening
Concretely, silencing your egocentrism can also and above all involve your own attitude in a conversation, for example. “Practice the exercise of not putting yourself first but actively listening to the person who is speaking to you. Without interrupting, by becoming aware of what is difficult, by showing interest in the other.”
Good in his body, good in his head!
Get help if you get stuck
If these tools are difficult to understand on a daily basis, or do not work, our expert advises not to give up and to seek support from a health professional to see things more clearly. “He will thus be able to shed light on this personality trait which has been built over time, on its origin and will be able to help you if necessary, give his tools, and advise you to take the different stages in the evolution that you hope for. .
