build your character📝
my version of "The Batman Effect"✨
Have you ever had to do something that you just did NOT want to do? Even if you have an easy life, there will still be moments throughout your day where you don’t want to do something! But instead of dreading every step of your unwanted task, what if you could make it more fun for yourself? The “Build Your Character” tool will help you enjoy the process, versus only feeling happy once the task is complete. And isn't everyone always talking about "enjoying the journey"?
You can even use this tool through the mundane "montage moments" of life- you know, those scenes in movies where they make mundane “compound-interesting” activities such as working out, eating well, or getting ready for work seem really exciting with fast edits and motivating music?
When I was little and asked to clean something, I would make it fun by pretending I was Cinderella. When I had to write an essay in high school I would pretend I was Carrie Bradshaw living in New York (actually I still do this sometimes😂) and writing a glamorous column instead! When I negotiated my pay, I would tell myself to be "an old white man on Wall Street" (lol) to feel more confident talking about money. When I don't feel like going for a run, I pretend I'm a pop star who has to train for tour, and then I feel more motivated to work on my cardio!
Have you ever done this, or is this just an actor thing? My whole life I've been taking tools from my acting training and subconsciously incorporating it into my real life, and this has to be my most favourite one! It turns out a psychology study in 2016 actually has a name for an aspect of this tool: "The Batman Effect". In this study, it was proven that kids performed repetitive tasks longer when they put on a persona!
You don't have to be a kid or actor to benefit from Building Your Character! If you look up to Beyoncé, you could call it "The Beyoncé Effect", and she might call it "The Sasha Fierce Effect", because YES Beyoncé uses this tool in her own way too! You don't have to go as far as Beyoncé and create a whole alter ego with a new name, but why not? It could be fun!
Do you remember the last person you looked up to or even idolized? Do you remember analyzing everything about them? You would study what they wore, what their hairstyle was, their resume, their artistic/athletic/comedic/business/etc. skills, what they said in interviews, and more! You were obsessed and so in love with them! If you want to use this powerful mental fitness skill, channel that imagination, and let’s begin…
“Build Your Character” Exercises
Think of a goal or area of your life that you would like to improve. Now who (in real life or a fictional character) could you pull attributes from to help you in achieving your goal? You can even pull attributes from multiple people! There are no rules! Do what feels like the most fun🥰.
Once you have a character in mind, ask these questions either right now, in your journal, during a visualization meditation, or for all three:
How do they walk?
What's their posture like?
What clothes do they wear?
How do they treat others?
How are they breathing? (Slow and steady, or frantic short breaths?)
What would their morning routine be like?
What do you think their diet is like? (Full of nourishing whole foods or processed snacks?)
What are their priorities?
How do they view the world? (As a scary place or one full of opportunities?)
Now imagine you are embodying those answers. You can go DEEP in this mental exercise! Those are just some questions to get you started!
At some point today, you’ll be face with a choice. When deciding what to do, why not use a character (either one you’ve been channeling, or a totally new one) to help you by asking"What would _____ do?" For example:
What would my doctor order me for lunch?
How would Malala react to this annoying person?
How would Jimmy Fallon turn this boring situation into a game or joke?
Write a "To Be" List instead of a "To Do" List: what kind of person do you want TO BE today?
Do I want to be strong and kind today, or impatient and rude?
Do I want to be playful today, or bored?
Do I want to have survivor, or victim energy today?
I'm excited to explore more of these exercises to Build Your Character with you! Remember that these are exercises that you should repeat every day if you’d truly like to get the best benefit! Just like an athlete doesn’t do 50 sit-ups once and expect to get a six-pack, the effects of mental fitness exercises like this, and last week’s limiting beliefs post, might not be apparent until you’ve incorporated them into your daily routine! We’ll talk more about that next week😘.
Until then, I’m about to get a little sappy and tell you that my dream is for you to make your life your favourite story❤️. And embracing your "Main Character” energy by using these exercises will help you do that! Our time here on earth is limited, and you have the power to take charge and live the life you’ve always wanted. It’s never too late! You deserve to enjoy *the little things* of daily life AND dream big too✨!