In a fascinating study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota, children were given a locked box and a set of keys—none of which could open the box. Some of these children were also given superhero costumes, like Batman's cape, and asked to pretend they were these characters. The results were striking: the children pretending to be superheroes demonstrated increased perseverance and adaptability. They acted like their alter egos, adopting their strengths and qualities. One kid even said, "Batman never gets frustrated."

But this concept stretches far beyond children pretending to be superheroes. The adoption of an alter ego can elevate our performance in various aspects of life. Actually, even celebrities do that. For instance, successful athlete Bo Jackson draws inspiration from Jason Voorhees, the emotionless, mask-wearing antagonist from the "Friday the 13th" movies. When Bo steps onto the field, he channels Jason. Renowned music industry star Beyoncé also crafted the bold alter ego Sasha Fierce. Coming from a Christian family, she faced a problem with her group's lyrics, so she created Sasha Fierce to freely express herself.

The concept of alter egos or secondary identities is not a novelty for author Todd Herman. He's always been fascinated by comic book superheroes, who typically had their alter egos. Take Superman as an example. When people are asked who the alter ego is between Clark Kent and Superman, 90% think Superman is the alter ego. But they've got it wrong.

On the contrary, Clark Kent is. He is the persona he created to blend in. This persona is a strategic choice, allowing Superman to navigate the complexities of human life. Depending upon the situation at hand, Superman switches between his superhero identity and his alter ego.