Prime Time: Achieve Breakthrough Performance With An Alter Ego

A Science-Backed Guide To Unleashing Your Inner “Beast Mode”?

SUMMARY: When the going gets tough, a surprising number of notable high performers conjure a tougher alter ego to get going. Far from magic, this unconventional approach of summoning an optimized persona to go the extra mile is rooted in established science.

The person writing these words and the person who would recite them on stage are two different people — no, I’m not a ghostwriter.

As a child of the late 80s, I grew up idolizing a colorful menagerie of role models ranging from rappers and wrestlers to action stars and comic book superheroes — larger-than-life personalities capable of extraordinary feats. However, from childhood through adolescence, I believed the dynamic that separated Tupac Shakur, Terry Bollea, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bruce Wayne from 2Pac, Hulk Hogan, Mr. Universe, and Batman, was something relegated to the realms of fiction and fantasy. For mere mortals, alter egos were impractical and even inaccessible.

Then one day, this shy, sensitive, introverted, and socially awkward writer was thrust into his first public speaking opportunity. I bombed in spectacular fashion. Slinking off stage with my tail between my legs, after failing to utter a single word, I realized that if I were to ever address an audience again, I’d need help.

Today, Hamza Khan continues to write 100% of the words. But the person I entrust to orate them is my alter ego: “HK” — a more carefree, confident, charismatic, and camera-friendly version of myself.?

HK is Hamza Khan, only better. This revelation might be bizarre for some to read. Believe me, it’s bizarre to write.

But when it comes to tagging in an alter ego to go the distance, I’m hardly alone.

Shazam!

Some people lack the personality traits required to fulfill their ambitions. So, like the meek Billy Batson, they reach into the ether, conjuring their Captain Marvel to swoop in and save the day. Interestingly, this practice appears overrepresented in elite performers to a degree that demands investigation.

A surprising number of renowned artists (50 Cent, Beyonce, David Bowie, etc.), athletes (Mike Tyson, Kobe Bryant, Marshawn Lynch, etc.), and leaders (Akio Toyoda, Dara Khosrowsahi, J. Robert Oppenheimer, etc.) have all employed the psychological strategy of alter egos to optimize their performance for years.

When I conjure HK, my focus is fine-tuned; when Adele conjures Sasha Carter, her confidence crescendos; when LeBron James conjures The King, his performance peaks.

Devoid of supernatural abilities, these real-life people tap into the power of several intertwined and well-researched effects.

Much More Than Magic

On stage or on camera, Hamza Khan appears curious, pensive, and subdued. While this works well for podcasts and fireside chats, it doesn’t quite translate to a rousing keynote in a packed auditorium. That’s a job for HK. However, this is much more than magic—it’s intentional self-persuasion rooted in established science:

• Psychological Distance: Psychological distancing involves creating mental space between yourself and a challenging situation. This can reduce anxiety and stress. When athletes or performers adopt an alter ego, they create a mental buffer, reducing performance anxiety and enabling a focus on execution rather than consequence.
• Self-Efficacy Boost: According to Bandura's Theory, self-efficacy refers to a belief in our capabilities to execute tasks and achieve goals. Alter egos often embody traits that we believe we lack, boosting self-efficacy and increasing the likelihood of goal attainment.
• Identity Shift: Various identity theories suggest that our behaviors align with our self-perception and the roles we adopt. An alter ego allows us to step into roles where desired behaviors and traits are innate, facilitating a shift in self-perception and behavior.
• Cognitive Disassociation: This psychological phenomenon involves a disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, or memory. It helps in managing stress and anxiety. Alter egos allow us to dissociate from limiting beliefs and fears, enabling enhanced performance.
• Enclothed Cognition: This term refers to the systematic influence that clothes have on our psychological processes, affecting performance and outcomes. Similarly, adopting an alter ego can influence our mental states and enhance abilities, akin to “putting on” a superhero cape.

This amalgamation of these dynamics fosters a mindset primed for peak performance. Can this mindset extend beyond the veil separating self-persuasion from self-delusion? Yes, but especially for those of us wrestling with severe imposter syndrome, it can have a balancing effect.?

The Mount Rushmore of rappers, boxers, and mixed martial artists are notorious for their high-contrast boastful confidence. For example: The bashful Shawn Carter believes he’s the best rapper alive, but entrusts Jay-Z to manifest the outcome. The stuttering Floyd Mayweather believes he’s the best boxer alive, but entrusts Money Mayweather to manifest the outcome. The mumbling Conor McGregor believes he’s the best cage fighter alive, but entrusts Mystic Mac to manifest the outcome.

My Mount Rushmore of thought leadership features the faces of Adam Grant, Abraham Maslow, Peter Drucker, and Malcolm Gladwell. But if you ask HK for his list, he’ll quote Aubrey Graham’s alter ego, Drake, by saying:?

“My Mount Rushmore is me with four different expressions.”?

And he actually believes it.

When The Going Gets Tough

One of the most compelling case studies of the alter ego’s efficacy is found in Deion Sanders, who was an anomaly among anomalies: playing two sports, he was a Hall of Fame cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder. Sanders crafted an enigmatic and confident alter ego named "Prime Time" to optimize his athletic performance. In the ESPN 30 For 30 documentary “Deion’s Double Play,” he explained the origin of the character:

“See, I saw this. This started when I was 7. I told my mama, ‘I’m gonna make a lot of money. You’re never gonna have to work another day in your life.’ And an agent, in my sophomore year in college, handed me this paperwork, and I saw how much everyone made in the NFL, and I was highly disappointed that my position was one of the least-paid. Right then and there, in that dormitory room, I created what you know as Prime Time. Oh, baby, you love him, you hate him, but guess what? You had to see him play.”

Sanders' career was fraught with challenges, ranging from the rigorous demands of professional sports in two professional leagues, to the intense scrutiny of the public eye. He was extraordinarily talented but needed something extra to manage the pressure and expectations.?

"Prime Time” had the answer.

He was characterized by unshakable confidence, flamboyance, and an uncanny ability to deliver clutch elite-level performances under pressure.?

And “elite-level,” when referring to Sanders, is an understatement.

On October 11, 1992, Sanders suited up for the Atlanta Falcons in Miami to play the Dolphins. Less than 24 hours later, he was in uniform for the Atlanta Braves to play in the MLB playoffs. To manage both, he summoned Prime Time; Deon played in the MLB, while Prime Time handled the NFL. Here’s how Sanders described the split:

“Prime was Prime. But when it's time for baseball, you got Deion. I couldn’t be Prime. The game didn’t call for that. Even to this day, I would not sign ‘Prime’ on a baseball. You’re just gonna get a signature on a baseball because that’s all I was. Just Deion alone couldn’t fulfill the obligations of what he promised his mama...But Prime? Baby, he is all that and then some.”

Scientifically, Sanders' utilization of an alter ego aligns with the psychological principle of 'self-distancing,' a concept explored in research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Self-distancing involves taking a step back from your immediate experiences to view them from a detached perspective.?

In Sanders’ case, "Prime Time" served as this detached, empowered entity, endowing him with the mental fortitude to surmount challenges and shine on both fields.

Today, Sanders is disrupting college football with the help of his electrifying “Coach Prime” persona. It’s a case study we’ll most certainly cover in a future edition of Ideas Into Action. Until then, let's get to work.

Create Your Superhero

Adele once opened up about her severe stage fright. “I’m scared of audiences,” she said. “I get shitty scared. One show in Amsterdam, I was so nervous I escaped out the fire exit. I’ve thrown up a couple of times. Once in Brussels, I projectile-vomited on someone...I have anxiety attacks a lot.”?

She created an alter ego called “Sasha Carter” — a composite of Beyoncé’s Sasha Fierce and country music star June Carter — in an effort to calm her internal terror before going on stage.?

To create your version of June Carter or Prime Time, follow these steps:

1. Identify Your Challenges

Begin with self-awareness, a critical precursor to performance enhancement, as outlined in Harvard Business Review.

• Journal: Write down your feelings, thoughts, and reactions in different situations to gain insights into your behavior and emotions. Identify patterns and triggers.
• Seek Feedback From Peers: Ask for constructive feedback from friends, family, or colleagues to understand your strengths and weaknesses from an external perspective.
• Get Professional Help: Consider seeking help from a therapist or counselor to delve deep into your subconscious barriers. Professional assessments can offer objective insights.

2. Envision the Ideal You

Visualize a version of yourself, unbridled by current limitations. Visualization is powerful, a claim supported in one study by a 22% increase in goal achievement metrics.

• Create A Vision Board: Create a visual representation of your ideal self, including images, phrases, or words that resonate with the traits and accomplishments you aspire to attain.
• Practice Meditation And Visualization: Dedicate time to visualize your ideal self. Imagine living a day in the life of this version of you, feeling the emotions and experiencing the successes.
• Set Clear Goals: Identify specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that align with your ideal self.

3. Craft Your Alter Ego

Meld desired qualities into a coherent, empowering persona. Identity crafting, linked to a reported 28% uplift in self-esteem, is your next step.

• Build A List Of Characteristics: Identify and write down the traits, behaviors, and attitudes your alter ego embodies. Be specific and detailed.
• Emulate Role Models: Look at people you admire. What traits do they possess that you want to incorporate? Draw inspiration but tailor it to your unique self.
• Choose Your Name And Identity: Give your alter ego a name and identity. Visualize how they look, speak, and act.

4. Embody Your Alter Ego

Step into this persona during pivotal moments to unlock enhanced performance. Stepping into this persona activates neural pathways associated with positive behavioral change.

• Practice: Begin adopting the alter ego in low-stakes situations to build confidence. Practice the behaviors and mindset of your alter ego.
• Create Triggers: Identify triggers that will help you switch into your alter ego. It could be a piece of clothing, a specific phrase, or a particular setting.
• Use Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to reinforce the traits of your alter ego. Speak these affirmations to condition your mind.

5. Reflect and Adjust

Analyze, refine, and enhance your alter ego for continuous improvement. According to one study, reflective practice bolsters skill adaptation, enhancing performance adaptability by 26%.

• Review Performance: After every usage of your alter ego, evaluate its effectiveness. What worked? What didn’t? Be honest in your assessment.
• Iterate The Process: Understand that your alter ego can evolve. As you grow, it should, too. Make necessary adjustments to align with your goals and challenges.
• Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate the successes achieved while embodying your alter ego. This reinforces the positive impact and motivates future usage.

The logic behind creating your superhero isn’t to “fake it until you make it,” but rather to “act as if.” Deion Sanders’ "Prime Time" wasn’t a different person, but an amplified version of Sanders, equipped with traits and attributes meticulously crafted to conquer the sporting world's pressures and expectations.

Be Yourself, Only Better

A pivotal scene in the film Oppenheimer involves the titular character coming to terms with his shortcomings as a leader. An astute but demure scientist, “Oppy” is told by his friend Isidore Rabi that he lacks the gravitas to galvanize the employees of The Manhattan Project. “So be yourself,” Rabi encourages Oppy. “Only better.” (No different than how The Rock is just Dwayne Johnson turned up to 11.)

Snatching his signature pipe and fedora, Oppy transforms into J. Robert Oppenheimer — “The Father of The Atomic Bomb” — and the rest is history.

In this way, the alter ego isn’t a guise of pretense, but a powerful psychological ally; it’s ready to step into the limelight when situations demand more than our habitual self.

Unleash your inner “beast mode” champion when it’s time to perform at an elite level. Step beyond the confines of ordinary existence and access a world where every challenge is an opportunity, every setback a setup for a comeback, and every performance a testament to the unyielding power of the human spirit, amplified by the enigmatic presence of your alter ego.

In this realm of peak performance, where mental fortitude determines greatness, your alter ego awaits — ready to chisel your face onto Mount Rushmore.

Step into your "Prime Time." Believe yourself to be a champion before you set foot on the field.