Why is cultivating a new identity so critical to success?

This week, I wrote about my current identity transformation, my favorite fictional identity transformations, and how I go about finding a new identity.

Let's jump into why I'm spending an entire week writing about identity.

An inspiring, well fitting identity will be a force multiplier, a great reinforcer and make everything easier.

Every single one of us has formed our current identity based on some combination and culmination of events and experiences from our past. Whether we are consciously aware of it or not, our identity has been forming since birth. Our identity has shifted many times and will continue to shift for as long as we're alive.

In college, I had a much different identity than I do today, and if I tried to go back to that identity, my liver would waive the white flag. When I worked on Wall St, I believed I was on the path to becoming CEO of a major corporation. Those identities served me well and no longer fit so well, so I've moved on.

When it's built from an intentional place, identity can be a powerful tool in our tool belt. It can be aspirational and help pull us forward through challenging situations and tough times. It can be a beacon of light that inspires others. It can be a magnet that attracts people and resources to help you.

The magic of finding the perfect identity is that it becomes great reinforcer:

  • A well fitting identity reinforces our North Star, and our North Star reinforces our identity.
  • A well fitting identity reinforces our habits, and our habits reinforce our identity.
  • A well fitting identity reinforces who we are, and who we are reinforces our identity.

And of course it works to our detriment in the opposite direction. Identities that don't serve us can reinforce bad habits and make us feel lost.

When our identity is working with us, life just becomes easier. Easier to achieve the things that are important to us. Easier to get into a flow state. Easier to make decisions. And easier to be in alignment with who we are here to be.

One of the best investments we can make with our time is to cultivate an identity that serves us well. The effects of this will ripple through all areas of our life and will pay itself back over and over again.

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When do I know it's time for an identity transformation?

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How do I find my new Identity?