Identity Shifting: How to Consciously Change Yourself

What is Your Identity?

Your identity shapes every aspect of your existence, from the decisions you make to the relationships you nurture. It forms your "self-concept," a mix of your beliefs, memories, and expectations that guide your actions and color your perceptions of the world.

These elements, taken on unconsciously throughout your life, dictate the patterns of your behavior, your relationship with your memories, and goals you pursue. Understanding and transforming this core mental operating system, how you identify in any moment, will lead to profound changes in every area of your life.

Imagine if you could alter this narrative at its core? Not constantly, using willpower to fake how you feel, but shift it permanently. What if you could transform and optimize your sense of self? 

Identity shifting is the step-by-step process of changing these fundamental aspects of your current self-concept, and shifting how it continues to update going forward.

It's about digging deep into the fabric of who you think you are, and reshaping it to align more closely with who you want to be (and truly can be). This isn’t just about adjusting superficial behaviors. It’s about transforming the underlying patterns and beliefs that drive those behaviors. Learn more about our coaching philosophy here.

The Power of Identity Shifting

Identity shifting isn't just a process, it's a powerful tool for transformation that impacts every aspect of your life. By altering how you see yourself, you change how you interact with the world, unlocking potential in numerous areas.

Here are just a few examples:

• Greater Success: Removing self-imposed limits allows you to reach new heights in all areas of life. By believing in your capabilities, you are more likely to take action, seize opportunities, and achieve greater success in your careers and personal endeavors.
• Deeper Relationships: By recognizing and shifting your internal narratives, you will dramatically improve how you relate to others. As you view yourself more positively, your interactions with others become more genuine and supportive, fostering healthier, more meaningful relationships.
• Enhanced Well-being: Aligning your identity with your true desires and values leads to greater contentment and happiness. When your external life reflects your internal truth, you experience a profound sense of fulfillment and well-being.
• Increased Resilience: Identity shifting helps you develop a stronger sense of self, making you more resilient in the face of challenges. You become better equipped to handle stress and recover from setbacks, maintaining your equilibrium and purpose despite life's ups and downs.
• Clearer Purpose and Direction: As you shift your identity, you gain clarity about what you truly want from life. This clearer vision guides your choices and actions, providing a strong sense of direction and purpose that propels you forward.

A Story of Transformation: The Athlete Within

Imagine Sarah, someone who was a hundred pounds overweight. Someone stuck in a rut of self-loathing and failed diet attempts.

Each day, she woke up determined not to "eat the cake" but finds herself giving in by lunchtime. Her efforts continually undermined by a deeper, subconscious belief that she wasn't in control, that she was destined to fail because she had always failed.

She tried amping up the willpower...

She stood in front of the mirror, not to critique her reflection as she usually would, but to make a vow. Tired of the constant self-loathing and driven by a deep desire for change, she declared, "No more!" It wasn't just about no more cake or junk food; it was about no more self-sabotage, no more living a life that wasn't hers.

Each morning, as Sarah faced the day, her commitment was tested. Despite her determination, by lunchtime, she found herself falling back into old habits, the cake, the comfort eating, the cycle of guilt that followed. It was a pattern too ingrained to break by sheer willpower alone.

Her turning point came as soon as she understood a deeper level of change.

This is where the subtle yet profound power of identity shifting began to weave its magic. Sarah started to reimagine who she could be. She thought to herself, "What if I am not just someone struggling with weight? What if I am an athlete?" This wasn't just a superficial label but a new lens through which to view herself, a fundamental shift in her identity.

Sarah began to embody this new identity, "I am an athlete."

Whether she's 100 pounds overweight, or 1000 pounds overweight, that didn't matter. She started identifying as an athete.

This mantra wasn't just about believing or pretending; it was about being. As she internalized this identity, her actions began to align naturally. Why? Because athletes have certain behaviors that align and are consistent. Athletes are active, they have training plans, they feed themselves a certain way. 

To not do so is unnatural for an athlete.

Going for a morning run, choosing healthier foods, and pushing through the physical limits at the gym weren’t chores anymore; they were just what an athlete does.

The transformation on the scale was slow at first. But the behaviors were consistent for the very first time. And the way Sarah felt about herself changed almost immediately.

And soon, the external changes she wanted became more evident. Sarah lost her first 20 pounds, not just shedding weight but also shedding layers of self-doubt. Though still overweight by societal standards, her new identity as an athlete allowed her to stand as a beacon of hope and strength.

She was invited to teach spin classes, her enthusiasm and resolve resonating with her new clients more than any perfect fitness model could.

Sarah's story is just one example of how powerful identity shifting can be. She shifted from seeing herself as a victim of circumstances to viewing herself as an athlete, which automatically changed her daily actions and ultimately her life.

You can do this to become an entrepreneur, a better parent, a thought leader, an author... Literally anything you want to become.

Why Identity Shifting Is So Effective

Our default patterns are not flaws in our character but features designed to make our lives easier. However, when these patterns are based on outdated, negative set points, they limit us severely.

Identity shifting works by updating these set points, essentially recalibrating the baseline of our self-concept to foster better outcomes naturally.

Sarah’s experience underscores three crucial insights around internal changes affecting our external world:

• Your identity profoundly influences your impulsive actions.
• Shifting your self concept reshapes your daily habits without leaning to heavily on willpower most don't have.
• And sharing your growth within a community can solidify and extend your personal transformations.

Her story is a powerful reminder that by shifting your internal narrative, you unlock a level of freedom that transcends physical and emotional constraints, paving the way for a life defined not by limitations but by possibilities and fulfillment.

Identity shifting is not just about learning new information but about experiencing and embodying a fundamental shift in how you see yourself and your place in the world. It’s about stepping out of old narratives and stepping into a new, empowered version of yourself.

Going Further...

If you’re intrigued by the possibility of such profound change, it’s time to take the first step on your journey of identity shifting. Embrace the challenge, and let’s redefine what’s possible for your life. Discover more about our coaching options or if you have any questions or need further information, feel free to contact us.