If the ego is largely shaped by external influences—if our thoughts revolve around the context of emotions and feelings triggered by outside circumstances—then it follows that these thoughts can influence our physiological state. Body posture shifts, tension forms, energy moves, and in turn, these physiological changes loop back to affect our emotions and thoughts. It’s a cyclical relationship: mind influencing body, body influencing mind.
This raises an intriguing question: Can we consciously borrow submodalities and postures from influential figures we perceive as positive? People like Elon Musk, singers, or movie stars might come to mind, but the choice must align with our personal perception of what is worthy. Each individual views reality from a unique lens, so the model or figure chosen must resonate authentically.
If we accept that our deeper awareness exists beneath the ego, then perhaps the ego itself—our posture, behaviors, and habitual thoughts—can be influenced by deliberately stepping into a new role. By adopting actions and postures that align with a chosen figure, we may begin to embody aspects of their character.
This idea touches on core principles found in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), though it is not limited to any one methodology. It suggests that we might, in essence, play any character we choose, and that happiness, drive, and purpose may emerge naturally when our actions and identity align. We act in ways that validate the identity we hold: the self we believe ourselves to be.
Yet, transformation is rarely instantaneous. If the mind is, at its core, a machine of familiarity, it will resist change when outcomes or behaviors don’t align with the new identity. In these moments, the mind seeks comfort in old patterns, gravitating back toward what is familiar. This creates a liminal stage—a transitional space between the old self and the new, where validation has yet to arrive and the new identity is not yet fully embodied.
The question then becomes: How do we break through this barrier? Is it simply a matter of persistence—carrying through with repeated actions until neural pathways and habitual patterns begin to rewire? Perhaps it is. Consider small, seemingly mundane behaviors, like brushing your teeth each morning. At first, it’s simply an action: “This is what I do.” Over time, through repetition, it becomes integrated into identity: “This is who I am.”
Transformation, then, may be less about a sudden shift in consciousness and more about the consistent alignment of thought, action, and body. By consciously modeling behaviors, adopting empowering postures, and persisting through the liminal stage of uncertainty, the mind gradually updates its internal map, and the new identity begins to feel familiar.
Ultimately, the question is both philosophical and practical: can we truly design the self we wish to become, and, if so, what is required to embody it fully? The answer may lie not in abstract thinking alone, but in the persistent, conscious alignment of mind, body, and action over time.
NLP Cheat Sheet: Embody Any Character
Objective: Step into a new identity by aligning thoughts, emotions, physiology, and actions.
1. Choose Your Character
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Pick someone (real or archetype) whose traits inspire you.
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Ensure it resonates personally—the character must feel “worthy” to you.
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Identify 3–5 key traits you want to embody (e.g., confidence, calm, focus).
2. Map Their Submodalities
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Observe or imagine how they act, move, and speak.
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Visual: posture, gestures, facial expressions
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Auditory: tone, rhythm, energy in voice
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Kinesthetic: body tension, energy level, ease of movement
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Create an internal map: how do these traits manifest physically, emotionally, and mentally?
3. Physiology First
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Adopt the posture, gestures, and facial expressions of the character.
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Hold the position while imagining a situation where the traits are expressed.
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Anchor the state: a subtle gesture or touch can reinforce the emotion (e.g., pressing thumb and finger together).
4. Align Internal Dialogue
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Notice how the character “talks to themselves.”
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Practice internal statements that reflect the desired traits:
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Example: “I act with clarity and confidence”
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Speak aloud or rehearse mentally while in the body state.
5. Act “As If”
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Start with low-risk situations in daily life.
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Maintain alignment of posture, emotion, and internal dialogue.
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Gradually practice in higher-stakes situations.
6. Test, Adjust, Repeat
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Observe your feelings, energy, and outcomes.
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Tweak gestures, tone, or inner dialogue until it feels authentic.
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Use feedback loops: body → emotion → thought → behavior.
7. Integrate the Identity
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Repetition builds identity: actions move from “what I do” → “who I am.”
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Permanently anchor traits with gestures, words, or touch.
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Persistence through uncertainty (the liminal phase) rewires habits and reinforces the new self.
💡 Remember:
Your mind and body form a system—change your physiology and actions, and your emotions and identity will follow. With consistent practice, any character can become your embodied reality.