Ever wanna be someone else?

Why trying out different personas is a good thing

Happy Halloween! 🎃 👻 💀

Though I’m not a fan of haunted houses or scary movies (I much prefer thrillers), I love that Halloween is the one time of year where we’re encouraged to express an alternate persona.

That Halloween we had insurance-themed costumes: Here I’m Flo from Progressive while my husband Todd is “Mayhem” from Allstate.

But what if you allowed yourself to do that on the other 364 days of the year?

One of my clients recently shared a unique take on that concept: she does this for anything she doesn’t want to do.

And for her, an extroverted founder who excels at sales, that’s accounting and finance.

She even went so far as to create and name an alter ego: Stewart, a bookish dude who wears glasses, sports a pocket protector, and lives for detail work. He can’t get enough of numbers, especially the nitty-gritty kind. 

When the P&L and other documents pertaining to past financials need reviewing, it’s not my client who shows up; it’s Stewart. My client explained that as she matures as an entrepreneur, she knows she needs to spend more time in the numbers; being Stewart for an hour helps.

Channeling your alter ego can be beneficial when you’re trying to do more of what you want to do too.

Look at how little Amy (aka Dyna Girl) is beaming!

As I mentioned in last week’s issue, I was a very shy kid. 

Yet lurking beneath that façade of shyness was a determined little person bursting with ideas and something to say, ready to conquer the world. I just needed a way to showcase that better. 

On Halloween 1978, I got that chance with my costume choice: “Dyna Girl,” half of the all-female crime-fighting duo. (My partner was my big sis Deb was “Electra Woman,” of course.)

This is another shot showing me with my big sister Deb, our little sister Donna (the adorable fortune teller), and a couple of our friends from the neighborhood.

As Dyna Girl, I was tough. Strong. Unstoppable. A major badass.

That’s the first time I understood the power of adopting an alternative persona. And how maybe, it wasn’t so “alternative” after all.

Here’s the thing I’ve realized: I am — and always have been — Dyna Girl; she was just hiding from view. Once I embraced her, it gave me the nudge I needed to align how I was feeling inside with what I shared with the outside world.

If that sounds appealing, I encourage you to channel your inner Dyna Girl or adopt one or more of these personas:

• The businessperson with unshakable confidence

• The consummate salesperson

• The most creative person you know

• A courageous entrepreneur

• Someone who has excellent focus and follow-through

• A details person who can spot potential issues

• A big picture visionary

• An empathetic leader

• The “real you” you’ve been hiding

Remember, you can be anyone for an hour‚ so why not try?

Just don’t be surprised if your alter ego wants to stick around a little longer. 😉

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I know, I know, change can be scary. 😱 (Halloween pun intended.)

But do you know the only thing scarier? NOT changing. That sort of rigidity will not serve you well in business and can kill your career.

Being open to change is another way of describing adaptability, an essential workplace soft skill.*

And in my latest Forbes article, I share why, in today’s ever-evolving global marketplace, possessing adaptability isn’t just a nicety; it’s essential for survival.

Shine on, my adaptable friends — and let me know which alternate personas you’re trying!

Amy

P.S. Now that we’re inbox-exclusive, you might want to follow my musings across the interwebs on Forbes, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

P.P.S. When I’m not writing this newsletter or channeling my inner Dyna Girl, I’m a social media ghostwriter. (Yep, that’s a thing). I help founders, entrepreneurs, and CXOs craft their stories to communicate and connect better by magnifying their reach and impact. (Think personal branding and thought leadership.) Learn more here.

P.P.P.S. You, my coruscant friend, have great taste in newsletters—thanks for subscribing! Be sure to check out the archives to catch up on previous issues, and feel free to share this one with your friends. Or better yet, invite them to join our Illuminate Me tribe!

Click the button to spread some sunshine.

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*I want you to learn how to cultivate and apply soft skills to your career, so I’ve created a multi-week series of articles on Forbes. My most recent article joins these previously published pieces:

This Soft Skill Helps Leaders Have (And Retain) More Innovative And Productive Teams (Empathy)

How To Harness The Power Of This Soft Skill To Immediately Electrify Your Career (Persuasion)

7 Easy Ways To Connect Better With Your Professional Colleagues (Connecting with others)

3 Ways To Master This Highly Valuable And Often Overlooked Leadership Soft Skill (Listening)

5 Ways To Sharpen The Soft Skill Every Leader Needs For Career Success (Communication)

6 Ways To Maximize Creativity When You Don’t Think You’re Creative (Creativity)

The Five Best Ways To Boost This Essential Workplace Soft Skill (Collaboration)