One of the biggest breakthroughs in psychotherapy has been the discovery and application of the idea of a parts-based model of the psyche.
Through this lens, the mind is seen more like a committee of sub-personalities, rather than a single unified entity.
Although this is a foundational assumption that many modern psychotherapies are built upon (e.g. IFS, Transactional Analysis, Schema Therapy, etc)—I hadn’t seen it applied in other fields—that is until I discovered Todd Herman’s book: The Alter Ego Effect.
If you’re unfamiliar, Todd was the peak performance coach for Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Nadal, and the late Kobe Bryant.
His approach is based on a parts-model, and leverages what could be described as an intentional form of dissociation which allows elite performers to access their highest capabilities in critical moments.
He does this by working with them to create an “alter ego”.
— Kobe Bryant’s was the “black mamba”.
— Beyoncé’s was “Sasha Fierce”.
— David Bowie’s was Ziggy Stardust.
This allows them to fully embody the characteristics of their highest potential self at the most important moments—and temporarily leave their insecurities, self doubt, and fears at home.
Think of an actress who is timid and shy in regular life, but who is able to fully embody the character of a confident extrovert when on stage.
The same psychology is at work here.
—
If you’re interested in being able to access your highest capabilities when you most need them, Todd walks through the exact process he uses to help his clients build their alter ego in his book.
You can see a brief overview of some of the key steps below:
1.) Identify the area where you want to show up at your best, e.g., in your client work, family life, public speaking, etc.
2.) Define the traits, skills, and mindsets that would allow you to thrive in this domain. Ask: If I could embody any qualities here, what would they be?
3.) Ask: who already possesses these characteristics that I could model?
Your model(s) can be real people, fictional characters, or even animals.
(Kobe Bryant chose a Black Mamba for his.)
The only important thing is the vividness and emotional connection you feel to the identity.
It could even be a combination of a few different characters.
Todd chose three people for his:
Benjamin Franklin (for his confidence and lifelong reinvention), Joseph Campbell (for his ability to communicate ideas clearly and powerfully), and superman (for his decisiveness).
So if you want to be a more confident speaker, you could choose Alan Watts.
Or, if you’d like to be a better listener, yours could be Carl Rogers.
4.) Give your alter ego a name and a vivid mental image — the more sensory rich and tangible your character is to you, the more easily you can step into him or her.
5.) Choose your “Totem” or “Artifact”.
This involves adopting a physical object (e.g., glasses, a bracelet, or a piece of clothing) that serves as a trigger.
When you put this on, it signals to your subconscious that you are shifting into your Alter Ego—similar to an actor putting on their costume before stepping on stage.
—
There’s obviously a lot more to this and Todd goes into greater depth in the book, but that’s an introduction to some of the key steps.
A few questions to reflect on then…
1.) In what areas of life could developing an alter ego have the biggest potential positive impact for you?
2.) Who would be the optimal model(s) for your alter ego?
3.) How can you strengthen your emotional connection to them, so you have a vivid mental representation of them in your mind?
4.) What totem/artifact could you use as a trigger to signal to your subconscious that it’s time for your alter ego to come online?
