New Identity New Future

To change who we are, we need to change our identity.  If we don’t, we stay stuck in our past patterns and habits. 

New Name

Often, we must change our name. What does that mean? For some people who have always struggled with their weight, perhaps that's going from I'm a person who says, “I always needs to work out otherwise I will get fat.” Instead, they change their identity through their name, “I'm an athlete!” Shed any identity that doesn’t serve your future best self.

New Routine

If you previously struggled with your weight like I have and have decided to identify as an athlete, your actions follow your new identify. Your routine is that of an athlete. Do they laze around on the couch, eat Doritos, and binge tv all day? Absolutely not! An athlete has a routine which includes regularly scheduled fitness routines. They most likely get up early, work out to win the day, eat like an athlete, hydrate like an athlete and honour their body with proper rest. They train to get better each day.

New Associations

If I’m a recovering couch potato and am determined to take on an athlete’s lifestyle, my associations are going to need to change. I’m going to seek out friendships at the gym or other athletes that can hold me accountable for staying on track. I start following influencers who are in terrific shape, I watch nutritionists with meal plan hacks on YouTube, I listen to podcasts geared towards a healthy lifestyle. New associations are imperative for a new identity. You will not “pull people up” around you. They will pull you back to your old habits, so new patterns are critical as it pertains to your associations.

For someone who fell off the proverbial wagon for most of my life, I can attest to the need for a new identity to ensure a new lifestyle is sustainable. I was always on track, then off track with no real consistency.  Once I identified as an athlete five years ago, I’ve maintained that lifestyle because I saw it as a never-ending journey toward health, not a quick sprint for instant results.

New Future

One of my favourite mentors constantly says, “the future looks bright!” Love that and it’s true. You and I can change our lives in an instance once we decide to set out new goals, define a new identity and work diligently to achieve it.

Is there an area in your life, personally or professionally, where you need to create a new identify for your new future?