"It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows." – Epictetus While undergoing medical training at Medical College Jabalpur, PGIMER Chandigarh, and later at the Storm Eye Institute in Charleston, SC, USA, and the Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, I was constantly grilled to keep my ego in check. It wasn’t easy. The journey of becoming a doctor is full of challenges, failures, and moments of self-doubt. But the biggest obstacle to learning and growth? *Ego. Ego whispers that we already know enough. It resists feedback. It makes us defensive when someone points out our mistakes. It makes us crave recognition rather than mastery. But the truth is, real growth happens when we let go of arrogance and embrace humility. Think about it—how often do we reject advice because we believe we know better? How often do we avoid constructive criticism because it hurts our pride? And how often do we see successful people become stagnant because they assume they’ve “made it”? Ryan Holiday’s Ego Is the Enemy is a powerful reminder that ego can be our worst enemy. It stops us from learning, makes us blind to our flaws, and distances us from true success. The best surgeons, leaders, and visionaries aren’t those who boast about their achievements but those who constantly strive to improve, who stay curious, who seek knowledge with an open heart. Lessons that have shaped my journey During my medical training, I encountered many situations where ego could have held me back. Whether it was admitting a mistake during surgery, learning a new technique from a junior colleague, or accepting criticism from a mentor, I had to make a conscious effort to put my ego aside. And every time I did, I grew. Failures will come—many times. But if we see them as stepping stones rather than personal defeats, we grow. If we focus on the journey rather than just the destination, we find true fulfillment. If we stay humble in success and resilient in failure, we win in the long run. So, I ask you: Are we letting ego hold us back? Or are we ready to become lifelong learners, open to feedback, and willing to evolve? If you’re looking for a book that will truly change the way you think about success, growth, and humility, Ego Is the Enemy is a must-read. You can get your copy here: (https://amzn.to/3X9C5lf) Let’s embrace learning, humility, and self-awareness—because the real enemy isn’t failure, it’s the ego that stops us from trying again. Dr. Suresh K. Pandey SuVi Eye Hospital, Kota #EgoIsTheEnemy #StayHumble #KeepLearning #GrowthMindset #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #EgoDetox #Wisdom #LessonsForLife #RyanHoliday #DrSureshKPandey #DrVidushiSharma #SuViEyeHospitalKota