Hey Reader

I almost didn't write this issue today.

(Also, do we call the weekly newsletters "issues", "editions", or something else? Issue sounds negative 😂)

This one almost didn't get written though, mainly because things are just a taaad hectic right now.

I'm neck-deep in pre-trip work that I'm desperately trying to see as a blessing, we have a reading challenge happening which adds extra (fun but necessary) admin, and it seems like every close connection I have wants my attention this week.

This and I'm on shower watch 👀 because I really don't want to pay for a full renovation if I don't have to 😝

When life gets busy, this is typically an opportunity excuse I could use to let things slide, and previously that has meant a missed week of the newsletter.

But despite that, I'm sitting here writing to you.

Why?

Not only because I love our weekly check-ins, but because this is who I am 😛 I am the kind of person who gets their weekly newsletter out on time each week.

Or at least that's what I'm telling myself, which can be a pretty powerful thing when used with intention!

Conveniently this aligns with what I wanted to talk to you about this week, so let's have a look 👀

The idea - How you define yourself is how you are

The stories we tell ourselves shape our reality. The stories we tell about ourselves even more so.

I don't mean this in a fluffy, wishful-thinking way. The labels and identities we choose for ourselves have major power to influence what actions we take (or don’t take).

In his book, Atomic Habits, author James Clear talks about this concept:

Essentially, if we say we are something, we're a lot more likely to act in accordance with that. Saying you will something does sometimes mean you'll "do the thing", but you're much more likely to if you adopt an identity that "does the thing" by default.

This can have great benefits when we're intentional about the labels we're giving ourselves.

• If you say "I am a journaler", you're more likely to journal consistently
• If you say "I am an author", you're more likely to write
• If you say "I am a runner", you're much more likely to run

I like to call myself a "walker" though because that's a lot more realistic for me right now 🏃‍♀️

Framing these as "I am" rather than "I will" means we’re more likely to follow through; those actions will reinforce who we believe we are.

This can also work against us though, so stay vigilant! There might be some identities you've given yourself that aren't serving you.

By telling yourself "I am disorganised”, this is going to encourage behaviours that align with that (we're thinking missed deadlines, misplaced items, showing up late, etc.)

Saying “I’m not creative” could be holding you back from trying new things in your journal.

If you say "I am bad at math" then nine times out of ten you'll turn down your friend who is trying to teach you how percentages work (if you're reading this, you know who you are, and I will not give up on this! You can do it!)

The labels we give ourselves have power, so we need to choose them carefully.

When it comes to picking our identities, I'm not so much thinking about manifesting here; saying "I am a millionaire" doesn't automatically make it so. But there are certain identities we can adopt that support the habits and routines we want to build.

It’s not about pretending to be something you’re not. It’s an opportunity to intentionally choose a mindset that nudges you closer to where you want to be.

Let's take action

Thinking about your current goals and what you want in life, ask yourself:

For me, right now, I am a person with a weekly newsletter, and that means getting this "issue" to you on time 😊

Let me know which identities you're going to adopt, or even the ones you're looking to scrap. Those can be just as powerful 💪

Until next time!

- Jess

Sick of setting goals that don't get achieved? Learn the system everyday goal-getters are using to make EPIC things happen.