How Ego Gets in the Way of Your Financial Goals


How Ego Gets in the Way of Your Financial Goals


A year ago, my trusty push mower died. To maintain a nice lawn, I needed a new one. I wanted a self-propelled model to get my steps in, but the prices at the store were shocking. After seeing that a new mower would eat my entire lawn care budget for the season, I turned to Facebook Marketplace.

The mowers online were half the price of the new ones. I messaged a few sellers, found one that looked promising, and arranged a meeting. I grabbed the cash and started my 30-minute drive. Twenty minutes in, the seller texted to cancel, and my wife noticed the ad was gone. Frustrated, I moved to the next option on my list and drove 40 minutes in the other direction.

I met a couple of men at a storage unit. The mower ran but looked heavily used. A voice in my head said to walk away, but after all the driving and frustration, I just wanted to get it done. I bought the mower, not happy with my purchase, but I needed to get the lawn cut.

Once I got home, I immediately knew I'd made a mistake. The mower struggled to get through the grass. I did all the maintenance—new spark plug, air filter, and oil—but it still wouldn't cut properly. I then got a new blade, but the mower started leaking oil. Week after week, my frustration grew. I had to mow in half-blade lengths, doubling my time, gas, and irritation. The lawn looked terrible, and I was constantly unjamming the blade.

Fed up, I decided to take a step back. I thought about sharpening the blade, but then I noticed how short the lawn looked. I bent down and saw that the mower deck was at its lowest setting. I had been scalping the lawn. My resentment toward the mower and my ego prevented me from seeing the obvious solution.

I had complained to everyone who would listen, but no one had simply said, "Raise the mower deck." Had they, I would've saved gas money, time, and a lot of frustration. My ego had gotten in the way of a simple chore and ruined the enjoyment of a nicely cut lawn.

I raised the deck, and the grass looked better, and I was able to finish in half the time. This simple lesson applies to so much more in life. 

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On my office bookshelf sit two books: "No Ego" by Cy Wakeman and "Humility True Greatness" by C.J. Mahaney. They serve as constant reminders that I'm a work in progress and that ego is the true obstacle. While they aren't financial books, the truths they hold are invaluable for anyone who wants to take control of their financial life. 

“No Ego”

In the world of financial coaching, we often focus on the numbers—budgets, investments, and savings rates. But the most significant factor in financial success is often a person's mindset. That's why Cy Wakeman’s book, No Ego: How Leaders Can Become Accountable and Ditch the Drama, is a must-read for anyone on a financial journey.

While written for a corporate audience, Wakeman’s core philosophy is powerfully relevant to personal finance: ego is the enemy of progress. The book teaches us how to move from a place of emotional reactivity and blame ("The market is against me," "My boss doesn't pay me enough") to one of radical accountability and reality. This shift from "why is this happening to me?" to "what am I going to do about it?" is the key to overcoming financial obstacles.

Humility allows us to admit a bad investment, seek help from a coach, or simply acknowledge that our spending habits need to change without shame. Wakeman's no-nonsense, compassionate approach helps readers identify and dismantle the internal drama that prevents them from taking control of their finances. By focusing on facts and solutions, No Ego provides a compelling roadmap for building a financially secure future, one humble, intentional decision at a time.


“Humility True Greatness”

For many, the path to financial freedom is less about complicated spreadsheets and more about a simple but profound character trait: humility. C.J. Mahaney's powerful book, Humility: True Greatness, offers a compelling look at this virtue. While rooted in spiritual truth, its message is incredibly relevant to our money lives. Mahaney argues that true greatness is found not in self-promotion or puffed-up pride, but in the humble posture of a servant.

Applied to personal finance, this principle is transformative. Ego tells us we know better than a budget, that we can outsmart the market, or that we deserve to spend money we don't have. Humility, on the other hand, allows us to admit when we've made a financial mistake, to seek the guidance of a coach, and to create a spending plan that reflects reality, not our desires. This book is a powerful reminder that our financial security isn't built on pride or self-reliance, but on the quiet, steady discipline that humility makes possible. Embracing its message can lead us not just to a healthier bank account, but to a life of true contentment and peace.

Resources Mentioned:


Biblical Truths

Isaiah 66:2 informs us, “All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD.” But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”

In James chapter 4 we are being warned about worldliness that leads to quarrels, fighting, covetousness, passion for self and enmity with God, we are reminded in v.10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

How are you striving for Humility?  Is it even something you consider?  This blog post is a small example of how I struggle to live humbly before my God.  I often allow my ego to be in control.    


Scalp Your Ego, Not Your Finances

My lawn mower story is a small-scale reminder of a big-picture problem. The frustration, the wasted time, and the poor results all stemmed from a refusal to admit a simple mistake and ask for help. In your financial life, this same ego can cost you much more than a few hours and a new mower blade. It can prevent you from getting out of debt, building wealth, or achieving true financial peace.

What financial "mower deck" have you been too proud to adjust? Maybe it's a budget you refuse to create, a conversation you've been avoiding with your spouse, or a financial plan you're trying to figure out on your own.

Don't let your ego hold you back any longer. If you're ready to put pride aside and start making real progress, a financial coach can help you see the simple solutions right in front of you. Let's work together to create a plan and cut through the clutter so you can get your financial life looking the way you want it to.

Ready to raise your financial mower deck and start seeing real results? Click here to schedule a free consultation and let's get to work.



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