Unveiling Your Alter Ego: A Powerful Tool for Personal Transformation with Todd Herman and Joe Polish #204

Defining Alter Ego:

• Todd explains the origin of the term “Alter Ego” by Cicero in 44 BC, meaning the other self or trusted friend within.
• Encourages viewers to adopt characteristics from others to develop a vision of their desired self.

Unlocking Playfulness and Brainwave States:

• Todd explains the concept of playfulness associated with Alter Ego and its connection to brainwave states.
• Explains how children naturally operate in a state of flow and creativity, providing actionable insights.
• Emphasizes the importance of bringing a playful attitude to identity transformation for optimal results.

Identity and Creativity Nuggets:

• Todd discusses the profound impact of identity on shaping reality and performance.
• Challenges the idea of a single, authentic self, encouraging viewers to adopt different selves for various roles.
• Relates the Alter Ego approach to intentionally using creative imagination for enhanced performance.

Application to Real Life:

• Joe and Todd explore the relevance of the Alter Ego concept in everyday situations.
• Discusses the impact on imposter syndrome, self-view, and the multifaceted aspects of identity.
• Offers practical advice for viewers to implement Alter Ego principles in their own lives.

Marketing and Principles Discussion:

• Joe and Todd draw parallels between their books, discussing situational behavior and ethics.
• Emphasizes the need for boundaries when being a giver and providing assistance to others.

Unveiling the Childlike Playfulness:

• Todd Herman draws a fascinating parallel between human development and the playfulness of children.
• Explores how, unlike baby elephants who must fend for themselves immediately, humans go through a sponge-like phase, soaking up everything without a concrete sense of identity.
• Discusses the malleability of children’s identities, adopting various roles like nurse, teacher, superhero, or athlete effortlessly.

Shifting Identities and the Playful Alter Ego:

• Todd emphasizes how children shape-shift identities effortlessly, driven by their desire to emulate those they perceive as big or influential.
• Highlights the lack of ego in childhood play, allowing for uninhibited creativity and exploration.
• Connects the concept of playfulness to optimal performance and the removal of ego in various life roles.

Transition to Adulthood and Developing Identity:

• Explores the pivotal age of seven and a half or eight when frontal lobe development brings a sense of self and identity.
• Discusses the risk of losing the creative, playful self as individuals start to develop a distinct identity.
• Todd shares personal experiences, citing Joe Polish’s office as an example of embracing playfulness and removing ego.

Elevating Performance and Overcoming Challenges:

• Todd delves into the importance of playfulness in the process of removing ego and enhancing performance.
• Discusses the danger of individuals becoming overly serious, losing the playfulness they had as children.
• Addresses the impact of patterns and identity on personal growth and how Todd’s methodology helps individuals navigate challenges.

Uniforms and Enclothed Cognition:

• Introduces the concept of uniforms, totems, and artifacts in shaping identity.
• Shares personal anecdotes about wearing non-prescription glasses as part of his work uniform since 1997.
• Discusses the psychological impact of associating meaning with clothing and artifacts, referencing Tom Hanks’ experience portraying Mr. Rogers.

Identity Evolution in Business and Life:

• Todd relates the concept of unlearning to peak performance, emphasizing the process of subtraction, removal, and deletion.
• Draws parallels between the hustle mentality of early entrepreneurship and the need for a shift in identity towards creating security and stability.
• Explores the importance of consistent discipline in refining and optimizing plays for sustained success.

Discovering Alter Egos:

• Todd reflects on his struggle with procrastination and self-judgment.
• Inspired by an Oprah episode, Todd realizes the potential of using alter egos.
• He shares his experience of using an alter ego named Geronimo during his football days.

Building Super Richard:

• Todd details the creation of Super Richard, his alter ego for business success.
• Influences include Superman, Joseph Campbell, and Benjamin Franklin.
• The alter ego becomes a powerful advocate for Todd, boosting his confidence and decisiveness.

Fake It Till You Make It vs. Adopting Alter Egos:

• Todd distinguishes between “fake it till you make it” and adopting alter egos.
• Emphasizes the importance of choosing empowering terms and messages.

Stone Soup Analogy:

• Joe Polish discusses the concept of “making it up and making it real” in entrepreneurship.
• He shares the analogy of Stone Soup, highlighting the importance of genuine intent.

Martin Luther King Jr. and Beyoncé:

• Todd reveals stories of Martin Luther King Jr. and Beyoncé adopting alter egos.
• Martin Luther King Jr. used glasses to step into his “distinguished self” before delivering speeches.
• Beyoncé created Sasha Fierce to navigate the challenges of her evolving stage persona.

The Process of Building an Alter Ego:

• Todd outlines the five main steps to building an alter ego.
• Define the role you want to improve.
• Identify traits causing frustration and their opposites.
• Choose a source code of inspiration (person, character, or animal).
• Embrace the characteristics and build rituals using totems and artifacts.
• Realize the transformation over time as you embody the alter ego.

The Power of Creative Imagination:

• Todd emphasizes the creative imagination as a unique human ability.
• Encourages reconnecting with the imaginative self, especially from childhood.

Shifting from Caring to Commitment:

• Joe Polish discusses the difference between caring and commitment.
• Todd suggests that adopting alter egos provides leverage, bridging the gap between intent and action.

The Lumpy Mail Story:

• Todd recounts his early days in the sports mental game coaching business.
• Inspired by Joe Polish’s marketing programs, Todd buys 14 hockey pucks, cuts them in half, and mails them to NHL teams with a captivating letter.
• The letter highlights the importance of the mental game, using the analogy of playing hockey with half a puck.
• Todd glues half a hockey puck onto each letter, creating a memorable and attention-grabbing presentation.
• The audacious move costs Todd $967.36, almost maxing out his credit card.

Response from Vancouver Canucks:

• The Vancouver Canucks respond positively, finding Todd’s approach amusing and unique.
• Despite the initial humor, the team acknowledges Todd’s commitment to the mental game coaching concept.
• Vancouver Canucks connect Todd with agents, opening doors to work with NHL athletes.

Lesson Learned:

• Todd reflects on the mistake of not capitalizing on the momentum gained from the initial success.
• Acknowledges the importance of persistence and following through with marketing efforts.

Applying Alter Ego Concept in Business:

• Todd shares personal experiences using alter egos, referencing Super Richard and Geronimo.
• Discusses the power of adopting alter egos to overcome mental blocks and enhance performance in various aspects of life.

Discussion on Addiction and Recovery:

• Joe Polish opens up about his experiences with addiction and recovery.
• Todd offers insights into the alter ego concept’s potential application in recovery, emphasizing the importance of changing one’s self-perception.

Creating Momentum in Business:

• Joe Polish highlights the significance of maintaining momentum in business.
• Todd shares additional anecdotes, including wearing Darth Vader’s helmet to enhance focus during marketing copywriting sessions.

Environmental Influence:

• Both discuss the impact of environment on performance and how consciously shaping surroundings can boost productivity.

Resources

• Joe Polish
• What’s in It for Them?: 9 Genius Networking Principles to Get What You Want by Helping Others Get What They Want
• The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman
• Coaching ToddHerman.me
• The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer
• Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke 
• Stone Soup Podcast Episode with Joe Polish and Dan Sullivan
• GeniusRecovery.org
• Genius Network