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Today, I’ll teach you how to help your students create an alter ego.
A well-devised alter ego can help your students tackle frustrating tasks with more confidence and grit.
Moreover, this alter ego will continue to be a valuable asset for your students, aiding them in navigating the increasingly complex challenges of both their academic and adult lives.
But first, what is an alter ego?
What is an alter ego?
An alter ego is an "alternative self" that is distinct from one's "normal" personality.
Ideally, an alter ego is a more confident version of themselves they can call on to give them strength and courage during challenging situations like:
Speaking in public
Overcoming anxiety related to making new friends
Participating in an athletic challenge where the stakes feel high
Ironically, many people find that embodying their alter ego allows them to be a more natural version of themselves.
Why?
The self that developed from years of schooling and social conditioning may be less authentic than the carefree and child-like self that existed before the onset of social pressures.
Many of us have grown accustomed to a more timid version of ourselves, but might the braver and bolder version of you be the real you? 🤔
For example, many people think of Superman as Clark Kent's alter ego, but in reality, Clark Kent was Superman's alter ego. Superman was actually born on the planet Krypton and he made up Clark Kent to "get by".
Why should your students create an alter ego?
By creating an alter ego, students can improve their ability to self-distance and emotionally regulate when things feel overwhelming.
These are valuable executive function skills that help them:
-Persevere through complex tasks 😅
-Overcome limiting beliefs and negative self-talk
-Reduce the impact of impostor syndrome
Developing these executive function skills have been shown to have an extraordinary impact on their lives.
Additionally, an alter ego is always based on a positive version of self.
This means that your student will be inclined to frame challenges as opportunities that the alter ego must overcome, like a hero in the story.
The alter ego taps into the human experience of enjoying stories and character arcs in which a hero overcomes a challenge.
Why do executive function skills matter?
Research shows that even minor improvements in EF skills can have a considerable impact on life outcomes:
“Since self-control’s effects follow a [linear] gradient, interventions that achieve even small improvements in self-control for individuals could shift the entire distribution of outcomes in a salutary direction and yield large improvements in health, wealth, and crime rate for a nation.”
Teaching your student how to build an alter ego that can serve them during moments of overwhelm and challenge can be a special gift they can use for life.
So why don't more educators and parents help students create alter egos?
Why don't more people use an alter ego?
Here is how you can address some common misconceptions around alter egos:
"I'm afraid using an alter ego will make me inauthentic. I don't want to act fake."
Well, actually, using an alter ego can actually help you tap into your true potential by allowing you to express parts of yourself that might otherwise stay hidden.
"Is an alter ego the same thing as having a split personality?"
No. A split personality or Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is quite different.
People with DID often experience memory gaps and are generally unaware of their distinct personality states.
In contrast, individuals with an alter ego are fully aware of their secondary personality and have intentionally developed it through conscious effort.
"This sounds like witchcraft. I don't want to be bad."
Creating an alter ego isn't about witchcraft; it's simply a mental tool to help you access different strengths and perspectives within yourself, all in a positive and empowering way.
How do you know creating an alter ego actually helps?
Many of the top performers in the world have testified to the impact of using an alter ego, including:
Beyoncé, who used "Sasha Fierce" to enhance her stage presence.
Bo Jackson, who referred to "Jason" as his alter ego on the field, helping be the only athlete ever to be both an MLB All-Star and an NFL Pro Bowler.
Kobe Bryant created "Black Mamba" so he could focus on basketball when managing personal challenges.
Note: explicit words in video below 👇
Peer reviewed studies have also shown the positive impact of creating an alter ego.
What is the "Batman Effect"?
In a study done by Rachel White and Stephanie Carlson, they asked 3 and 5 year old children to use a set of keys to unlock a transparent box which contained an attractive prize.
Unbeknownst to the kids, none of the keys worked.
Knowing this task would be frustrating, the researchers asked the experimental group of children to choose a super hero to embody for the duration of the task (they even gave them costumes to wear).
You can see how the children responded in the video below:
So what were the results?
The study found that for the 5-year-olds, the children who took on an alter ego were able to persevere with the task for longer, with less frustration.
Whoa!
In scientific speak, the practice of self-distancing, or viewing the situation from a more detached, third-person perspective, has the power to immediately improve self-regulation, sustained attention, and executive functioning.
Without further ado, here is how you can help your students create an alter ego in 3 steps.
How to Help Your Students Create an Alter Ego in 3 Steps
Use this guide to walk your students through creating their alter ego. If you would like a downloadable worksheet that accompanies this activity, click here.
Step One: Identify the Qualities for the Alter Ego
Guide your student to identify the traits they want their alter ego to embody by answering these questions:
What superpowers do you want your alter ego to display?
Example: "I want my alter ego to be (confident, brave, focused)."
Take action: Have them fill out the "What are your superpowers?" square.
Next ask your student this:
What limiting beliefs are holding you back?
Example: "I sometimes feel (insecure, overwhelmed, shy), and I want my alter ego to overcome these feelings."
Take action: Have them fill out the "What limiting beliefs are holding you back?" square.
Lastly, you'll need your student to determine how their alter ego will overcome those limiting beliefs. Ask them:
How does your alter ego overcome those limiting beliefs?
Example: "My alter ego will overcome their fear of public speaking by wearing glasses that can see into the future and know exactly what to."
Take action: Have them fill out the "How does your alter ego overcome those limiting beliefs?" square.
Your students are now ready to choose a name of their alter ego...
Step Two: Choose a Name for the Alter Ego
Assist your student in selecting a unique name that reflects the qualities they've identified, while also creating a bit of magic and mystery.
Encourage them to think of a name that resonates with the power and confidence they wish to express:
What is your alter ego’s name?
If they are having a hard time coming up with something, try the following steps:
Look up pictures of animals that represent the energy they want to embody
Identify colors that characterize the energy they want to embody
Combine the colors and animals to create something new and fun
It's now time to move onto the final step -- choosing a physical item that represents their alter ego.
Step Three: Select a Physical Representation for the Alter Ego
Help your student find a physical item or symbol that represents their alter ego.
This could be clothing, an accessory, or even a specific stance or gesture:
My alter ego will be represented by:
If they are stuck on this step, have them look up different super heros and admirable people to see what items, accessories, or clothing made them stand apart from the average joe.
But remember, it can be as simple as a pair of glasses! 🤓
Summary
If you are ready to guide your students to feel more confident, bold and capable of overcoming the biggest challenges in their lives, start by helping them construct and alter ego.
Here are three steps you can take today to get them started:
1. Ask them to choose the qualities they want their alter ego to embody
2. Help them brainstorm a name that captures the essence of these qualities
3. Guide them to choose a physical accessory that "disguises" them
And there you have it! An alter ego that increases confidence, improves grades, and brings out the real you.
Buona fortuna!
🤙🏻
P.S. These are skills that executive function coaches work on with their students. If you want to try working on them with your students, consider joining hundreds of other educators and parents who have completed my Semester Success Blueprint Course. In less than 2 hours, this comprehensive course will teach you and your student the system I developed to help hundreds of students learn how to manage school effectively and raise their self-awareness and engagement with school.
About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and expanding my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.
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