Why an "Identity Shift" is the key to Consistency

POV: You haven't worked out in weeks, but a sudden rush of motivation hits you for a few days, and you're killing it. You're waking up early, hitting the gym before work, and ending your day feeling accomplished. It's a Thursday night you end up working extra late; you don't want to have a late dinner, so after gymming consecutively for 3 days, you skip out on this workout. Now it's Friday, you want to go out, so you miss another day. The weekend has come along, and another few days have gone without a workout. Next, those few days turn into another few weeks, and you're back to a cycle of inconsistency and no motivation.

I used working out in this example for motivation, but you can substitute a workout for almost any habit you're trying to form. For example: incorporating a healthy diet, posting consistently on social media to build a personal brand, researching your business, etc. Nonetheless, I get it: Consistency is difficult to maintain.

Motivation is only one of many components that contribute to effectively building a lasting habit.

We've all heard the sayings: "You won't always be motivated," "Motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing," etc. Girl, it's all true. You and I know we do not wake up every day motivated to do everything we want. While motivation is crucial for change, it is a feeling that comes sporadically. There are more reliable sources of energy for you to depend on to accomplish the things you need or want to do. This is where I like the saying, "Show up every day as the version of yourself you want to be."

This is the future version of you, the version of you that has it all figured out. This is that version of you grabbing Starbucks in the drive-through in your shiny new BMW after a pilates class before you go get your nails done (or whatever fantasy version you have of yourself.) What does she look like? How does she dress? What time does she wake up? What does she do when she's overwhelmed? How does she care for herself so she knows she can show up as her best self? What did she have to do to get that Beamer?

It's not about "always being motivated." It's about making a conscious identity shift that puts a future version of yourself in your current reality.

Doing this may sound complicated. But it's incredibly attainable by simple mindset shifts. Going back to our example of working out - instead of telling yourself, "Omg, I haven't worked out all week, idk if I'll have time today to do a full workout," etc., what if you were to remind yourself, "Wow, I haven't moved my body in a week. I should walk around the block today."

What's the difference? The first sentence sounds like you're punishing yourself. Idk about y'all, but I am SO hard on myself. Harder than anyone else. Talking to yourself like that isn't nice, and you should always be nicer to yourself, especially when it comes to self-talk. The second sentence reminds you that you have a lot of stagnant energy in your body and plan to release it. It's giving ✨Awareness Princess✨ 👑💖

If you're not used to working out every day, you won't suddenly wake up one day and be a person who works out. But if you tell yourself you want to be active, you'll find different ways to move your body, even if it's just for a few minutes each day. If you want to eat healthy but don't get full from salads, how can you incorporate one vegetable into a meal you're already cooking? If you want to be an entrepreneur but can't find time to work on your business, when is one hour in the week you can block off in your calendar to set up your LLC?

The first step in creating a habit is consciously choosing to start somewhere, even if it's small. My theory is that it will hopefully transform you into a person who is active or is an influencer, a business owner, etc. The point is to take action that will create momentum and eventually form a habit. Small, intentional, conscious habits lead to identity shifts. Which, in turn, helps you transform into the person you know you can be.

So I leave you with this question: Who do you envision yourself as? What is the first step you can take today to become her?