23/5/2018 On Alter Egos![]() Prior every important event in my life, I consciously step into my alter-ego who has superpowers. Like all respectable superheroes, I take off my normal clothes, put on a cape and fly. Or run forever. It’s not just about wearing the outfit of the superhero; It’s a full transformation. I think, talk, act like him. And I can do what he can do. This gives me an enormous physical & psychological power and freedom to conquer and fail. After all, this alter ego is not really me; I am only partially responsible of his words and actions. And achievements if any. I am still in the driving seat but removed enough so that the strong limiting opinions and beliefs I hold about myself, do not to interfere with his magic. I do that before important training sessions, races, speeches and business meetings. This is nothing new. We used to do it as kids when playing fantasy characters, as teenagers to impress someone, we do it every day to conduct business. The important keyword here is “consciously”; it’s not just part of the motions. It’s an intentional set of actions to become the person I need to be in that circumstance. While the context changes depending on the situation, the drill is typically the same. Taking running a race as the pertinent example, this would be:
![]() This is my ritual and I give it a great importance. I found it very effective for my mental preparation and to narrow my focus. Others have their own other rituals and habits, it is certainly not that uncommon. I see this all the time, in fellow runners carrying small tokens in their running packs, motivational quotes or tattoos on their bodies. I see it in the day to day work-life with people wearing their best suits and dresses. You portrait an image outwards to potential customers, colleagues, the world but also inwards. I decide to step into my alter ego who is a phenomenal ultra runner who has trained hard and has no fear. This is extremely effective to get the best out of me during races, especially when my normal self is scared to fail. It helps me disassociate a little from whatever happens during the race, most notably the pain, the fears, the successes and failures. It doesn’t make it necessarily easier or less painful, but I know my second self, my alter ego, has all the potentials to pull it off. What if everyone strived to be more like their best alter egos, every day, in all aspects of our lives?
Barry Carter
23/5/2018 21:53:36
Yes, this is right, though I do this i never realised before, now you say this I see that when I get it right it goes well when I don’t it doesn’t.
Paul Marley
25/5/2018 18:40:53
Great insights and strategies. For me, after I make sure I put the training in, it’s then the psychology that determines outcome. Sometimes I start to doubt and feel the pain. Will work more on sharpening my alter ego ! Thank you Comments are closed.
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