The entertainment industry is competitive, where talent, creativity, and networking are crucial. However, it can also bring about feelings of jealousy, frustration, ego, and entitlement, which can damage your reputation, self-esteem, and mental health. Managing these emotions is key to maintaining professionalism and healthy relationships. Here are some practical strategies to navigate and manage ego and entitlement:
What is ego?
Ego refers to an individual's sense of self and self-importance, encompassing self-perception, self-esteem, and self-worth. While a healthy ego can foster confidence and self-assurance, an inflated or overly dominant ego can manifest as arrogance, self-centeredness, a need for constant validation, pride, and a lack of consideration for others.
What is entitlement?
Entitlement is the belief or feeling that one deserves special privileges, treatment, or consideration without necessarily earning or deserving it. An entitled person may expect preferential treatment, often disregarding others' contributions, and assuming one’s needs come first are all signs of entitlement.
Have you ever experienced moments of ego or entitlement, like when a peer got an opportunity you wanted or when you felt you deserved it more than they did? Or perhaps when your submissions were ignored? Reflect on how you felt in these situations—were you angry, frustrated, or jealous? It's ok, because that's normal to feel those feelings! Understanding these reactions can help you manage them better and prevent negative impacts on your relationships mental health, and professional reputation.
Here’s some advice:
Celebrate Your Progress: Take time to acknowledge and appreciate how far you've come and where you are now. Don't overlook the accomplishments you've achieved along the way.
Remember, what is meant for you won’t pass you by. You don’t always know why someone else was chosen over you. While some may argue that no one deserves opportunities more than others, we believe that some actually do. We believe that factors such as skill set, work ethic, attitude, and talent all play a role. The reasons behind why certain people get opportunities can be complex. It’s not always black and white and most often never personal.
Therapy: If feelings of entitlement, ego, and jealousy become overwhelming, consider seeking guidance from a mental health professional. Professional counseling can provide valuable tools for managing emotions and maintaining balance.
Embrace Constructive Criticism: Surround yourself with honest, trustworthy individuals who can provide objective feedback. Seek input from mentors, colleagues, or friends who offer genuine perspectives and are successful and have your best interest at heart. View their feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than a personal attack. The industry is full of opinions and rejections; not everyone will like you or your work. While not every opinion may be right, being open to listening can help you improve. Remember, you have the choice to take feedback into account or simply ignore it.
A music curator notes: “Artists of all genres submit music hoping for opportunities. When not selected, some respond with grace and sometimes entitlement or rudeness. I've even been confronted in person which is uncomfortable and it damages future opportunities for them. Many factors influence decisions, including venue requirements, multiple decision-makers and so much more! Professionalism and kindness are remembered long after an initial rejection. It's important to occasionally view things from another's perspective.
To be honest, artists who are confrontational or display aggression are exhibiting more ego and entitlement, and usually are not be as advanced or skilled as others competing for the same spot. Talent alone isn’t always enough; readiness and fit are crucial. Ultimately people remember how you treat the, I often circled back to artists I initially didn’t accept the first time around for whatever reason, but when the timing was right I brought them in! In entertainment, not everyone gets a trophy, so it’s important to keep emotions in check to remain professional.”
Focus on what you can control. Remember to breathe when you start to feel negative and reactionary. I like to remind myself to respond and not react. Easier said than done, but being mindful is always the first step.
Success in the entertainment industry requires self-awareness, humility, and ongoing personal and professional development. Appreciate the collaborative nature of the industry and support others' successes while also respecting a "no." Every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow.
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