The Power of Pretend: How an Alter Ego Can Be Your Superpower

When you’re not in the mood

July is here and the mid-year funk continues to batter my already deflated motivation to do any perfunctory tasks. Like folding clean laundry that’s been giving me the side eye al week. Again! Ugh.

I recently had a breakthrough. Returning to an idea that I recently wrote about – not wanting to do things that are not fun, I asked myself how I could make this dreadful chore a little more joyful. I pretend I was the hired help and my daughter the boss. Suddenly I wasn’t dragging myself through a chore – I was being paid. My mission was clear. There was no room for overthinking. . Optimization was the name of the game. Boom, I was done in 10 minutes. That my friend is the magic of alter ego.

Why Use an Alter Ego?

We often wait for motivation to appear like it’s some divine gift. But what if you could trigger it by becoming someone who already has it?

Alter egos work like mental costumes. They let you:

• Escape your overthinking, tired self
• Channel energy, boldness, focus, or speed
• Break out of monotony or resistance
• Face nerve-wracking tasks (public speaking, performance, awkward conversations) with confidence
• Make everyday tasks feel more like games

When you just can’t even! Fold another towel, write another report or drag yourself to the gym. Stepping into an alter ego can change everything. You don’t need to become a whole new person forever. Just for the moment. Just to Get. It. Done! Below are some examples to rev you up.

For a tough meeting become like Barrack Obama, calm, articulate, composed. No drama, just action.

Feeling shy about promoting your business? Step into Oprah mode – warm, confident, persuasive. The kind of person who believes in their message so much, you can’t help but listen.

Struggling to find the motivation to work out? Think of how Kayla Istines or Vince Saint (the Vshred guy) would do it. Shredded and never skipping a leg day! Put on their playlist, picture the camera rolling and GO!

Wanna play your best foot forward at basketball? Step into Kobe Bryant’s “Black Mamba” mode. Laser focused and unstoppable.

The Batman Effect

The Batman Effect is a fascinating psychological strategy that taps into the power of alter egos. Coined by researchers studying self-distancing, the Batman Effect refers to the idea that pretending to be someone else—like Batman—can help you perform better under pressure. When you adopt a persona that embodies strength, focus, or resilience, they create psychological distance from their own doubts or frustrations.

Studies show that when children pretend to be superheroes like Batman while doing difficult tasks, they:

• Persist longer
• Regulate emotions better
• Feel more confident
• Perform more effectively on executive function tasks2

For example, a child struggling with a boring or frustrating activity might say, “Batman never gives up!”—and suddenly, they’re more focused and determined.

Adults can benefit too. Psychologists like Ethan Kross have found that:

• Using third-person self-talk (e.g., “You can do this” instead of “I can do this”) improves emotional regulation
• Adopting an alter ego helps people detach from limiting beliefs, reduce anxiety, and increase confidence.

Why It Works

• Self-distancing: Viewing yourself from an outsider’s perspective reduces emotional overwhelm.
• Role modeling: Embodying a competent character helps you internalize their traits.
• Cognitive shift: It reframes challenges as something your alter ego can handle.

How to Create Your Alter Ego

1. Pick a Task You Want to Crush – Is it housework? A work presentation? Going to the gym? Meal prepping?

2. Choose a Character You Admire – This could be:

• A celebrity (Rihanna folding laundry? Yes please)
• A character (a Navy SEAL, Marie Kondo, a Gordon Ramsay kitchen boss)
• Someone you know (your super-efficient friend, your childhood coach)
• A fictional persona you invent (e.g., “Efficiency Queen,” “Silent Assassin,” “Chore Fairy”)

3. Understand Their Vibe – How do they talk, move, act, think? Are they serious? Cheeky? Super focused? What would they say if they saw you moping around?

4. Step Into Them – Put on music they’d love. Change your posture. Give yourself a new name. Use their internal dialogue. Definitely dress like them!  You’re not “you” anymore. And here’s the twist: your brain follows your identity. You act like them, your results shift with almost no resistance.

Advantages of Using an Alter Ego

Using an alter-ego acts like a shortcut to your best self, bypassing hesitation and doubt. Here are some tracked benefits:

• Instant motivation: Gets you moving when nothing else works
• Reduced overthinking: You stop debating and start doing
• Performance boost: You’re less distracted, more committed
• Fun factor: Turns boring stuff into playful scenarios
• Emotional buffer: Removes the “me” pressure — it’s your character doing the work, not you!

Useful Links & Resources

If this concept of stepping into a powerful persona speaks to you, below are some insightful resources to dive deeper.

Disadvantages (Yes, There Are Some)

While powerful the alter-ego tool isn’t without its pitfalls. If oversued, it can become a form of escapism – a way to avoid confronting real emotions. You may start relying on this external persona instead of strengthening your internal voice. Theu key is to use it as a mask – a temporary shift in energy, not a permanent identity.

Think About It…

What’s one area of your life right now where you feel stuck or meh? Who crushes that kind of thing and can you mimic their energy for a task?