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Archetypes and Alter Egos

The Dreamer, The Engineer, The Realist and The Narrator

Use archetypes to adopt the best alter ego for the job at hand.

The concept of creating and adopting alter egos or archetypes as a tool for personal and professional development is powerful. The goal is not to change your core identity, but to access different aspects of yourself to enhance performance and overcome challenges. This approach can be a powerful tool for personal growth and professional success when used thoughtfully and authentically.

Benefits​

Advantages of cultivating an Alter Ego

  1. Overcome limitations: Alter egos can help bypass personal limitations and fears.
  2. Enhance performance: They can boost confidence in high-pressure situations.
  3. Adaptability: Allows for better navigation of different social and professional contexts.
  4. Skill development: Facilitates the adoption of new behaviors and skills.
  5. Emotional regulation: Helps manage anxiety or stress in challenging situations.

Development​

How to to cultivate an Alter Ego

  1. Identify the goal or situation for which you need the alter ego.
  2. Choose powerful traits that align with your objective.
  3. Give your alter ego a name and backstory.
  4. Visualize your alter ego in detail.
  5. Practice embodying your alter ego in low-stakes situations.
  6. Gradually apply it in more challenging scenarios.

Leverage Archetypes​

Lean on established archetypes to create your alter ego.

  1. Description of each archetype (e.g., Hero, Sage, Explorer)
  2. Key characteristics and behaviors
  3. Strengths and potential weaknesses
  4. Situations where each archetype might be useful
  5. Examples from literature, history, or popular culture
  6. Exercises to help identify personal dominant archetypes
  7. Strategies for embodying different archetypes

Practical Application​

  1. Identify challenging situations in your life or career.
  2. Match these situations with appropriate archetypes or alter egos.
  3. Practice embodying these personas in safe environments.
  4. Gradually apply them in real-life scenarios.
  5. Reflect on the effectiveness and adjust as needed.

Archetypes​

Archetypes are universal patterns of behavior that resonate with people across cultures and time.

Archetypes are a way to describe the different types of people and their behaviours. The concept of archetypes dates back to the Ancient Greeks, however Carl Jung established 12 universally familiar characters or themes that recur throughout history in myths, stories, and dreams across cultures. In marketing, archetypes are often used to create brands that build stronger emotional connections with consumers by aligning their brand personality.

Classifications​

The Innocent​

  • Characteristics: Pure, naïve, romantic, optimistic.
  • Brands Examples: Dove, Coca-Cola.
  • Goal: To be happy.

The Everyman​

  • Characteristics: Relatable, comforting, humble, down-to-earth.
  • Brand Examples: IKEA, Home Depot.
  • Goal: To belong or fit in.

The Hero​

  • Characteristics: Brave, honorable, strong, confident.
  • Brand Examples: Nike, BMW.
  • Goal: To make the world better.

The Outlaw​

  • Characteristics: Rebel, revolutionary, wild, iconoclast.
  • Brand Examples: Harley-Davidson, Virgin.
  • Goal: To overturn what isn't working.

The Explorer​

  • Characteristics: Adventurous, pioneering, independent.
  • Brand Examples: Jeep, The North Face.
  • Goal: To experience a better, more authentic, fulfilling life.

The Creator​

  • Characteristics: Innovative, imaginative, artistic.
  • Brand Examples: Apple, LEGO.
  • Goal: To create things of enduring value.

The Ruler​

  • Characteristics: Authoritative, responsible, organized.
  • Brand Examples: Mercedes-Benz, Rolex.
  • Goal: To create a prosperous, successful family or community.

The Magician​

  • Characteristics: Visionary, charismatic, imaginative.
  • Brand Examples: Disney, Red Bull.
  • Goal: To make dreams come true.

The Lover​

  • Characteristics: Passionate, sensual, warm, romantic.
  • Brand Examples: Chanel, Victoria's Secret.
  • Goal: To attain intimacy and experience sensual pleasure.

The Caregiver​

  • Characteristics: Nurturing, selfless, compassionate.
  • Brand Examples: Johnson & Johnson, Campbell's Soup.
  • Goal: To help and care for others.

The Jester​

  • Characteristics: Fun, irreverent, lively, humorous.
  • Brand Examples: Ben & Jerry's, Old Spice.
  • Goal: To have a great time and lighten the world around them.

The Sage​

  • Characteristics: Wise, knowledgeable, mentor.
  • Brand Examples: Google, BBC.
  • Goal: To use intelligence and analysis to understand the world.

The Enemy​

Avoid the weak-willed and self interested. Learn to recognise, do not trust.

Easy times create weak people, weak people create hard times, hard times create disciplined people, disciplined people create good times. Identify and avoid the following:

  • The Nice Guy
  • The Complainer
  • The Drama Magnet
  • The Naysayer
  • The Victim
  • The Toxic Positivist
  • The Manipulator
  • The Time Vampire