Put Your Alter Egos to Work
When it comes to getting things done it helps to draw upon different parts of your personality.
In his new book, "Focus: The Power of Targeted Thinking" (Prentice Hall Life), author and creativity expert Jurgen Wolff says that we all have many sub-personalities.
"There are times when you're focused and times when you let your curiosity guide you," he says. "Likewise, sometimes you are in a conciliatory mood and other times you may have a steely determination to do things your own way."
Most of the time we leave to chance which one of our sub-personalities is in charge at any given time. So if your 'curious kid' persona has to organise your office most likely you'll spot a magazine you've been meaning to read and a few hours later nothing much will have been done. But that kid may be exactly the right sub-personality to put in charge of brainstorming a new project.
The secret of greater success, Wolff says, is to make this unconscious process an intentional one. At the start of any task, think about which qualities are most important to get it done, then evoke that frame of mind. Do the task, then go through the same evaluation before starting on the next task.
Wolff suggests giving your personalities names to get into the right frame of mind -- 'Curious Kid' for when free-ranging thought is appropriate; 'Attila' when absolute focus and determination are needed; 'Sister Harmonia' for times when the emphasis is on co-operation; 'Moneypenny' for tasks requiring accuracy.
"Of course you don't have to say them out loud." Indeed, that might be for the best.
Steps to switching personalities
- Identify the next task you want to accomplish.
- Identify the key trait that the task requires. If you were hiring someone else to do it, what is the main attribute you'd be looking for?
- Remember a time when you exhibited that quality yourself, even if in a totally different context. For instance, if you're a fierce competitor at games, you can bring that to the table in negotiations. If you feel you don't have any of the desired quality, think of someone who does and imagine what it feels like.
- When you get into character, use all your senses. What do things look like, sound like, and feel like when you're in the mental mode you've chosen?
- As you do the task, if you find yourself slipping out of your chosen character, stop and refresh the feeling.
- When the task is done, take a moment to clear your mind. Stretch, walk around for a moment, to clear your head.