Reinventing Yourself: The Art of Identity Iteration

On the journey toward our dreams, we will encounter moments where it feels like we haven’t made progress.

The feeling of failure permeates our daily lives to the point that we know something needs to change. We feel like we should be further ahead by now — this feeling of regret and shame does not serve us well long term.

But where do we start? Do we throw away everything we know and start over? Do we read countless self-help books to find some answer that will shift our energy?

It can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.

Shifting your identity will change the way you approach life and your goals. The best part is that you are in control of how much you change, and there are no limitations to how many times you can reinvent yourself over a lifetime. (Of course, the goal is not to become professional reinventers, but rather to become comfortable with the process of change.)

Reinventing identity is a process that can provide a compass to enhance your journey, give you a greater sense of growth, and upgrade your core beliefs and behaviors.

Let's kick it off.

Why should I become aware of my identity?

Your identity dictates your behavior & decisions. The identity you carry with you to the grocery store is the same one that is with you when you’re exercising.

Simply put — your identity plays a major part in how you experience life.

If you want to change your quality of life — starting with shifting your identity can improve your experience in the endeavor.

Becoming aware of your current identity and patterns is the first step.

The human brain is a pattern-recognizing machine. Once it determines the easiest and most comfortable patterns to ensure safety and survival, those patterns will run again and again.

For example: If I want to start running, I have to override my mind into being okay with discomfort. I have to shift into someone who does uncomfortable things (if I want to become a runner and reap the benefits of running over a lifetime.) Otherwise, I will fall back into my previous identity — which keeps me where I am.

By becoming aware of the patterns and routines that uphold your current identity, you can actively choose which activities bring you closer to your ideal self and which habits keep you far from positive growth.

Every lasting change is an identity shift.

This is not a process of creating an alter-ego etc — it is about reawakening the powerful you that has been covered in self-doubts. This is dusting off the core purpose that invigorates your life.

Once we are aware of our current identity, we move on to rediscovering ourselves.

This step is rooted in deep reflection, I recommend grabbing a journal or a piece of paper and pondering these questions:

• Who do I want to be like? Be specific and list out certain qualities you wish to emulate.

• If I repeat what I have done the last 90 days for the next 3 years, will I end up where I want to be? Which habits are not in line with my ideal self?

• Am I living up to my core purpose? What is my core purpose?

• What would make me feel proud of myself?

• What does recommitting to my goals and dreams look like on a day-to-day basis?

• What self-limiting beliefs do I have right now?

These questions will help uncover your deeper core purpose and send you on a path toward reinventing your identity.

Switch up your Environment

Changing your environment lets you shake things up about yourself and your thoughts. This could look like moving into a different city, changing the layout of your personal spaces, or even changing your wardrobe and fashion choices.

A new space can induce new patterns and new adventures. This will help you see yourself in a different light which will lead to change in behaviors and the core identity.

Letting Go

The next step is about letting go of the stories that have held us back. These stories are often deeply entrenched in our identity and hold us from achieving our goals. Letting go of the previous identity will help difficult, as the mind will do everything it can to hold on to the comfort of the status quo.

This is another step that is rooted in journaling and reflection. Pull out a pen and some paper and get busy!

With self-compassion, self-discipline, and self-awareness we can alter the outcome of our experience — we just have to work with our mind in this process.

Get Excited about the Possibilities

As you set or recommit to your goals, you should start to feel excited. Being engaged and excited about your potential gives you more fuel toward the identity you want. When things get tough, you can rely on the enthusiasm and energy that comes with embracing new possibilities.

Design the ideal lifestyle you want — this opens the door for us to bridge the gap between what we currently are and our ideals.

Re-Confirm your Identity

There is no such thing as a one-and-done in our pursuit of our goals.

We have to consistently show up and work on gaining evidence that we are actively changing.

Shifting your breakfast from sugary cereals to oatmeal and fruits.

Shifting your sleep habits to ensure more energy.

Shifting your limiting beliefs into embracing the full possibility of your potential.

This where “Who Do I Want To Be” turns into “This Is Who I Am.”

What is your action plan? Define the next steps.

Remember, building while learning is possible. Often, waiting to feel ready is procrastination. Be aware. It is not as scary as you envision.

Change “Ready Aim Fire” into “Ready Fire Aim.”

Iterate along the way — We Get Better As We Go!

What it looks like 3 Months Later…

This process of Identity Shifting is what helped me become a writer.

Earlier this year, I was identified as someone who wasn't capable of writing cohesive pieces. I thought I had nothing of value to write about. I believed that I could never write a weekly newsletter.

My internal dialogue was filled with reasons why I wasn’t good enough to be a writer.

But here’s the thing: My desire to become a writer outweighed my fear of failure. So…

I decided that if I wanted to be a writer, I would have to change the way I viewed myself.

I upgraded my self-beliefs, I changed the inner critic into an inner supporter, and I let go of the negative limiting beliefs I had about my writing skills.

The next step was to write. Day in and day out. Put in the reps.

Then, I decided that writing a newsletter would be my next step.

And 13 weeks later, here we are.

All it took was a simple Identity Shift — an everlasting adjustment to my core purpose.

See you next Sunday,

Paril