CONTEXT
Todd Herman is the best-selling author of The Alter Ego Effect (one of the top books I read last year).
He’s helped the world’s best athletes / performers unleash their hidden power.
Kobe. Nadal. Ronaldo. (Just to name a few).
An alter ego isn’t about playing pretend or creating a false mask. It’s about finding the hero already inside you— and calling it up when you need it.
(Btw, I love how Kobe Bryant came up with his).
Try this method to find your own:
THE METHOD
Step 1. Grab a pen and paper.
Make a list of the following: What do I want to…
- stop doing? (e.g., presenting without confidence)
- do less of? (e.g., scrolling mindlessly on my phone)
- keep doing? (e.g., meeting new people)
- do more of? (e.g., setting boundaries with loved ones)
- start doing? (e.g., negotiate higher prices for my work)
—
Step 2.
Ok, now just pick one of those things on your list. (Yep, just one.)
—
Step 3.
Ask yourself, “what’s holding me back?” You have to answer this one honestly. Todd shares a few examples that get in our way:
- imposter syndrome
- not being intentional
- worrying what others will think
- not being in control of emotions
- doubting your abilities
—
Step 4. The fun part.
Think of someone who does that one thing extremely well. It could be a fictional character, a person, an animal, etc. That figure will be the foundation of your alter ego.
—
Step 5.
Name your alter ego. Something that makes you immediately think of the qualities you want to have.
- Beyoncé = “Sasha Fierce” on stage
- Kobe Bryant = “The Black Mamba”
Decide how you’ll “call up” that alter ego whenever you need it. A prop, a mantra, a visualization. Practice and repetition is everything.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The best part? You can create different alter egos for different parts of your life.
- Assertive and persuasive at work
- Patient and loving with your kids
- An absolute beast in the gym
Each “alter ego” will call up your full potential in those very different contexts.
And after a while? You no longer have to “call up” each of your alter egos. Because you became them.
To dive deeper, read The Alter Ego Effect. (The Audible is also fantastic, and narrated by Todd himself).
Until next week,
Jade
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