Have you ever asked yourself, “What is Identity Shifting”? If you want to achieve all your wildest dreams, you have to try this! Studies show that people who align their identity with their goals are 80% more likely to achieve them (Oyserman, D., & Destin, M. (2010))! Additionally, identity shifts toward “fitness enthusiasts” or “athlete” increase adherence to exercise programs by 73% over two years (Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H. M., Potts, H. W. W., & Wardle, J. (2010)).
The one link that’s been keeping you from your wildest dreams, your destiny, and your calling is the one thing you’ve never even considered. Your identity is the foundation of every fiber of your being. It determines your limitations, desires, and your motivations. You’ll never outperform who you’ve become, but you can always become more than you are! Keep reading and I’ll give you an insight into the meaning of identity shifting and why it is mandatory for long-term success.
What is Identity Shifting
It can be easy to misunderstand what it means to “shift identities”. Does it mean that you’re evolving into a new level of life? Maybe it is meant to explain the process of taking a new step in the progression of growth. Thus, I believe it is important to describe exactly what is “identity shifting”. With a better understanding comes a better performance.
Defining Identity Shifting
It is also important to distinguish between an identity shift and growth. Both are important in the journey of personal development. However, they are different and need understanding to ensure your journey toward purpose proves fruitful.
Growth constitutes changes within your identity for the better. An example may be the implementation of a better routine, or habits, or even the removal of a vice or addiction. Growth is important and should always be a goal. It is a lifelong journey! I have heard it said that to stop growing is to die. Though extreme, the sentiment holds some weight.
When we talk about an identity shift, we’re talking about a complete change in identity—all three parts. This isn’t something one should often do or that should be taken lightly. To completely change the self takes much effort and energy. This level of change is not minor, temporary, easy, or quick! An identity shift is a complete shift of your character, personality, and appearance.
What Is An Identity
If you’re going to shift from one identity to another, it is important to know what one is. Your identity is the total sum of who you are. To create an identity you need three separate parts: 1) Character, 2) Personality, and 3) Appearance. Each part has its distinct traits and method of operating.
The Three Elements of An Identity
Your Character is the essence of who you are. It is also the why underlying your behavior and thoughts. Composing your character calls for all the tools you use to determine right from wrong: morals, values, standards, etc. It’s also the foundation upon which you create your worldview. Character is the compass you use to make decisions. In essence, it is what determines the direction of your life. Revealing true character comes through time and testing.
Your Personality on the other hand is how you show up in the world. It is the how of your behavior. The personality you adopt dictates how you interact with the world around you. Your personality is much easier to see than your character. It takes less time to make an appearance. While your character operates in the background and only makes its appearance known in dire times, your personality is always on display. We sometimes even create personalities just to conceal our character. Revealing your personality happens through conversation and connection.
Your Appearance dictates the first impression that people make. Some people also make their judgment of who you are based on your appearance if they don’t get the opportunity to connect with you. Although perception doesn’t always dictate character or personality, it may sometimes be a minor reflection of both. Nonetheless, your appearance—while not insignificant—is the least important of the three.
Why Is Identity Shifting Important For Long-Term Success
Identity Shifting is the cornerstone of life. Because we are born into a life full of wrongdoing, testing, and strife it is inevitable that we form identities that are misaligned with our destinies. The very cultures we’re exposed to during our childhoods force limiting beliefs, taboo norms, and strongholds into our minds that keep us from living lives of purpose. This makes it mandatory to know and understand what identity shifting is.
Why Identity Shifting Breaks Plateaus
Pursuing a greater version of yourself is a worthy ideal. I’m sure you’ve sent plenty of intentions before. You may have even accomplished quite a few stellar things along your way. But I am sure you can relate when I say, “Sometimes it feels like I’ve stepped into a pit of quicksand and can’t get out”.
You feel like you’ve tried every trick in the book to get that promotion, build a business, write that best-seller, find the perfect mate, etc. but nothing seems to work. You may feel like you’re stuck in a revolving door going around the same circle repeatedly. You’ve bought books, and courses, sought out mentors, prayed, and sacrificed—and still nothing but the same old song. Identity shifting is the key to getting out of this rut.
Should You Change Identity Or Pursue Goals?
Until your identity is aligned with your destiny and purpose you will always have a ceiling. You will become your own bottleneck. This is because all identities—with the exception of your true identity—force you to operate within a range.
The best analogy I’ve heard to explain this is a thermostat. A thermostat operates within a range. You set it at the desired temperature. The thermostat kicks on the heat until the space reaches the temperature the thermostat was set to. When your home or room drops a few degrees below the desired temperature the thermostat turns the heat back on. It is a constant back and forth between a few degrees of heat.
We operate in the same way. Every identity has a “set” temperature. When our lives begin to go above or below that temperature by a few degrees the “heat” turns on. When you get extra money, you spend it or some “emergency” pops up. You begin to care for someone and you ruin the relationship so you don’t get hurt. You lose the weight to a certain point, then you gain it back. The rule of the thermostat shows up in your life repeatedly—in every domain.
The answer to this dilemma—or self-fulfilling prophecy—is the identity shift. You have to put on a new identity that has a more desirable “set” temperature. This is what you accomplish should always be secondary to who you’re becoming. One should always pursue a worthy identity over a valuable goal. When you pursue the goal, you’ll only reach it if it’s within the “range” of your set temperature. But when you pursue a greater identity, you can accomplish anything you choose.
Identity Shifting Leads to Purpose
A third reason identity shifting is important is because you have to evolve to fulfill your purpose. If we take The Law of The Thermostat at face value, then a hard reality exists—you simply can’t fulfill your purpose. Now there are a myriad of reasons why it is essential that you live in purpose. But those are outside of the scope of this particular piece of content.
Since your identity is set at a particular temperature, when you attempt to step into your calling your thermostat will turn the HVAC unit on to bring you back down. The only way to step into your destiny is to shift to an identity that can support what you are called to do.
Take The First Step Toward Identity Shifting
I have the perfect solution if you want to take the first step toward shifting your identity. The first thing you need to do is find your purpose. Your purpose is the foundation that lets you know you’re moving in the right direction. The last thing you want to happen is to do the work of identity shifting to find out you’re moving in the wrong direction. Put your information in the form below and I’ll send you my purpose assessment. It’ll get off on the right start and I will be sure to help you along your journey!
Shifting Your Identity | The Bottom Line
Identity shifting refers to a complete transformation of who you are—encompassing your character, personality, and appearance. Unlike growth, which involves incremental and ongoing improvement within an identity, identity shifting represents a comprehensive change, requiring significant effort and energy.
There are three components of your identity—appearance, personality, and character. Shifting to an identity that aligns with your destiny is mandatory for long-term success and happiness. Doing so eliminates limitations and unlocks purpose. These truths make it vital to prioritize who you become over what you achieve!
This post was not meant to be an ultimate guide to how to shift your identity. Instead, the goal was to provide you with a brief overview of the topic and discuss the importance of identity shifting. I hope this was a blessing to you.
Until Next Time,
Live on Purpose—Not Default
Jaye