An unusual (but effective) way to become whoever you've always dreamed to be
Image: Green Arrow
Credit: CW
Do you ever wish you could just be someone else?
Live someone else’s life?
Maybe you feel like…
…you’re not the right person for the job.
…you don’t have the right skills for the task.
…you don’t have the right motivation for the goal.
I’ve been there.
It feels like you’re an imposter in your own life.
Like you’re supposed to be doing something more.
Well, what if I said you could be anyone?
You could even be a superhero in your own life.
I found myself running.
Slow at first.
Suddenly, the music in my earbuds shifted.
I knew what it meant—the time had come.
I took a small, green paracord band from my pocket, wrapped it around my wrist, and pulled it tight.
In that moment I shot to attention as though every bone in my body had improved its posture tenfold.
I was running with a clear objective now.
Defuse the bomb.
Save the girl.
Save the city.
As each stride propelled me forward, I could feel the weight of my mission upon my back.
But it wasn’t heavy.
Quite the opposite in fact.
It was pushing me to do better.
I raised my head up and gazed to the horizon. My eyes were locked to the end of the path before me. And I was getting faster.
I glanced at the seconds my watch’s countdown as they inched towards zero.
Tick. Tock.
As the time I had left disappeared, my pace increased again.
“Just get there,” I said to myself. “Save this city.”
What may sound like a makeshift re-run episode of a superhero show on the CW had become my reality.
As I ran, I became someone else.
I became Oliver Queen—the Green Arrow.
“But… why?” is likely the first question you’re asking yourself.
And it’s a fair one.
Enter the Alter Ego.
The Alter Ego Effect
I’ve been slowly adopting a running habit over the past several months.
My goal is long-term to compete in endurance events such as the Ironman (2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride, and a full marathon at 26.22 miles).
For now, I’m training my body to get better and my mind to do the same.
I’ve been on the search for ways to improve and came across a book by Todd Herman called, The Alter Ego Effect.
In it, Todd breaks down the benefits of creating Alter Egos to do great things in our lives.
The Black Mamba
Think Kobe Bryant.
Bryant was undoubtedly one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
When he found himself in a career slump, Kobe took on the alter ego of “Black Mamba.” He used the alter ego to separate the ruthless, competitive monster on the court from his personal life. By becoming the Black Mamba, Kobe could channel all his focus into one thing at will.
For Kobe, it was becoming the best at the game of basketball.
For you, it could be becoming a great leader.
It could be becoming a prolific author.
It could be becoming a profound thinker.
Searching for My Alter Ego
We’re human and we start from different places.
That means we each have strengths and weaknesses.
Sometimes imposter syndrome stops us from improving ourselves and achieving our goals.
Becoming our Alter Ego though can help guard us against imposter syndrome.
—
I started using a training plan to improve my running performance a little over a month ago.
I started running three days a week, Mon, Wed, Fri.
Pretty good.
My running was getting a little better each day.
Then, I read The Alter Ego Effect.
I finished the last page, put the book down, and decided to supercharge my efforts.
I looked to one of my heroes for inspiration—Oliver Queen.
Next, and at the suggestion of Herman’s book, I obtained a token.
It was a small, green adjustable band that I put on to activate my Alter Ego.
At first, I figured the band would motivate me to get through a session and that would be it.
But it did so much more than that.
I reduced my average pace by almost 30 seconds per mile.
Absolutely bonkers.
My mind believed it enough that my body compensated where it needed to reinforce the image to my mind.
I couldn’t believe it. The Alter Ego Effect was 100% real.
When I ran with the band I wasn’t pretending to be Oliver, I WAS Oliver.
I chose to become the Green Arrow. I was drawn to his resourcefulness, fortitude, and sheer willpower to see the mission through—no matter the cost.
4 Steps Towards Building Your Alter Ego
Anyone can use their alter ego to do great things. Here are a few steps I’d recommend to get started:
Step 1 — Pick One Mission - Whether it’s a long-term or short-term goal, think about something specific you want to do for yourself that you aren’t doing right now. If you’re already working towards a goal, that’s ok too.
Step 2 — Create Your Avatar - Think of someone you admire in real life or fiction that is exceptional at the mission. You want to pick an avatar (or combination of avatars) that excels at the thing you want to do yourself. When you “become” them, you’ll take on their habits and qualities that will help you conquer your goal.
Step 3 — Select a Token - Pick something (preferably something small or wearable) that you can use to activate your alter ego at will. To maintain boundaries between your life and the alter ego, this token will help you become your alter ego only when you wear or use that token.
Step 4 — Practice with Your Alter Ego - As a simple exercise recommended by the author, go to your favorite coffee shop and order something as your alter ego. Consider how they would order, what they might order, how they would present themselves, and how they would interact with their surroundings. Test your alter ego in scenarios that work towards your goal.
If you’re stuck, consider some other famous examples of Alter Egos:
Sasha Fierce (Beyoncé Knowles - Music Megastar)
Goggins (David Goggins - Ultra Distance Athlete)
Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie - Creative Genius)
Superman (Clark Kent - Mild-Mannered Reporter)
Batman (Bruce Wayne - Playboy Billionaire)
There are no rules for your alter ego other than the ones you set yourself. If the alter ego isn’t as effective as you hoped, try adjusting the qualities you want to emulate.
Now unleash your alter ego on the world.
Become your alter ego today to live the life you want tomorrow.
Recent Finds
Thomas Frank — How to Organize Your Calendar - The Ultimate Guide (YouTube) | Lately, I’ve been trying to improve my productivity. More specifically, I’ve been working on how to organize my time. I went down the YouTube rabbit hole and found this excellent guide by Thomas Frank. Enjoy.
Samantha Frew — Architecture Students Should Never Do All-Nighters. Change My Mind. (Article) | An insightful article by Samantha Frew at Architizer about the trials we put ourselves through as creatives. I remember more times than I’d like to admit working long hours into the night during school. While all-nighters are commonplace in the profession of architecture, this post is relevant to creatives of all kinds. Get more sleep, friends. The work will always be there and it will never be perfect.
Creating Wonders — $86,400 Every Day (Reel) | I love this. You wouldn’t throw away everything when something irritates you. So why let it irritate or worry you at all? Watch this and get inspired to spend your time and energy on the positive things you control in your life.
Todd Herman — The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life (Book) | One more shout out to The Alter Ego Effect. I highly recommend this book as a nerdy, fun way to approach self-development. I’m always looking for interesting ways to improve my life and this is fast becoming one of my favorites.
Quote of the Week
“Slow progress is still progress.”
— Jenna Kutcher
That's all for now.
Stay creative, my friends—and have a great week!
