When it comes to taking massive action with your business or putting yourself out there as the attractive character, it's very easy to get nervous and hold back.
If you've found yourself overwhelmed by resistance, creating an 'alter ego' may be a game-changing strategy.
An alter ego, a concept discussed by Todd Herman in "The Alter Ego Effect," is about adopting a secret identity that embodies the traits and characteristics required to help you overcome that resistance.
Todd Herman shares numerous real-life stories in his book, illustrating how alter egos have helped individuals break barriers and achieve remarkable success:
Basketball legend Kobe Bryant channeled his alter ego, 'Black Mamba,' to stay focused and ferocious on the court.
Beyoncé Knowles created 'Sasha Fierce' to overcome stage fright and deliver electrifying performances.
Psychologists have found that such 'self-distancing' strategies can lead to enhanced self-regulation, which is crucial for overcoming challenges.
The term alter ego comes from Cicero, who coined it in 44 BC. In its root form, it means 'the other eye' or 'trusted friend.'
We're all held back to a degree by that internal voice that tells us we're not enough, that people don't want what we're offering, who are we to share/teach/do this?
This is where your alter ego steps in.
In those areas where you're really trying to perform, you bring out your alter ego, your trusted friend. It diminishes those negative thoughts and allows you to bring your best self to the plate.
Here's how to create your own alter ego:
1: Understand your alter ego's role
Are you trying to lead your team? Or are you trying to give the ultimate webinar? In order to craft your alter ego, you have to first get clear on the role that alter ego will be playing. If you have a few roles in mind, take a moment to write them all down.
2: Understand the abilities that alter ego would have
In Todd's words, "If you could go into the lab and create a person who is going to help you win, what traits and abilities would they have? Would it be playful? Would it be detail-oriented? Would it be free-flowing? OR, is there someone or something else that you admire that you sometimes 'wish' you were that person or wish you could be like them?"
3: Decide upon your alter ego
Kobe embodied a black mamba and Beyonce created Sasha Fierce. In his book, Todd talked about a client called 'The Big Wave'. The Big Wave was his client's way of embodying the fierce ocean, something he had a deep connection to as he grew up on a tropical island.
Your alter-ego can come from anywhere you want. It can be a person you know, an element, a completely made up person, anything because it's yours, and no one else's.
4: Find an artifact or token to help activate your alter ego
Finally, find an item that helps you activate your alter ego. This taps into a psychological phenomenon called 'enclothed cognition.' Enclothed cognition is, for example, if someone walks in with a doctor's coat on, we naturally, without even thinking about it, think, 'Okay, they're competent, they're successful.'
By creating and embracing an alter ego, you're not merely playing pretend; you're utilizing a secret used by some of the most successful people to have lived.
You're accessing a toolbox of traits and attitudes that can significantly enhance your performance and transform your life.
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