Ego Pursuit and the Recognition Trap
Understand why recognition boosts ego and how it becomes emotionally addictive.
Staying Safe by Staying in Charge
Being in charge means being safe.
Systems are monitored, decisions tracked, outcomes managed.
You sense how leadership became protection, how staying alert prevents collapse.
This window names charge as a safety position rather than dominance.
Understand charge-as-safety with DojoWell.
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Articles exploring the psychology behind these patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I feel like I have to stay in charge of everything?
This is Charge as a Safety Strategy. You are using the Status & Control system to manage the environment so the Threat system doesn't have to. Being "in charge" is your way of ensuring that no unexpected triggers enter your space. Naming this as a "safety strategy" removes the moral judgment that you are "controlling." You are simply a "safety officer" for your own nervous system, doing the work required to maintain your coherence.
Is staying in charge a bad thing?
Only if it leads to burnout. The Meaning Density Model™ suggests "budgeting" your charge. Identify which areas truly require your oversight for safety and which can be "de-tasked." By narrowing the scope of what you are "in charge" of, you preserve your integration capacity. You move from "total management" to "strategic oversight," allowing for more rest without sacrificing your fundamental safety.