Hi there,
What’s the Story?
I hope 2025 is going well so far for you. I have had a busy start to the year. In this week’s episode of the Changing Minds podcast and the article below, I talk about the power of identity and how transformational it can be in helping us make lasting changes. I go through three types of identity that few people discuss and reveal how to leverage all three to improve your life.
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The Power of Identity: Transforming Your Life from the Inside Out
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes 18 seconds
Who are you?
It’s a deceptively simple question. Yet, the answer to it—your identity—holds immense power over your life. It shapes your actions, your beliefs, and the way you move through the world. It can be the very thing holding you back or the key to unlocking the life you truly want.
In this edition of Inner Propaganda, we’ll unpack the psychology of identity. We’ll explore how your social, perceived, and desired identities shape who you are, and more importantly, who you can become. By the end, you’ll have a roadmap to rewrite your story and create lasting change.
Let’s dive in.
What is Identity?
At its core, your identity is the collection of stories you tell yourself about who you are. It’s made up of your beliefs about yourself—your strengths, weaknesses, what you’re capable of, and what’s possible for you.
But here’s the kicker: those beliefs often aren’t true. They’re narratives you’ve constructed based on past experiences, emotions, and the groups you belong to.
And that’s good news. Because if your identity is just a story, you can rewrite it.
The Three Layers of Identity
There are three main types of identity you need to understand:
1. Social Identity: Who you are in the context of your group.
2. Perceived Identity: Who you see yourself as based on your behaviors.
3. Desired Identity: Who you want to become.
Each plays a vital role in shaping your life. Let’s explore each in depth.
1. Social Identity: You Are Who You’re With
Social identity theory, developed by Henri Tajfel and John Turner, explains how much of our identity comes from the groups we belong to. Whether it’s your family, friends, colleagues, or online communities, these groups shape your beliefs and behaviors.
In one fascinating study, researchers divided boys into arbitrary groups based on their preference for abstract paintings. Despite the meaningless distinction, the boys consistently favored members of their own group when allocating points (convertible to money).
The takeaway? The groups you’re part of can profoundly influence your decisions and actions.
How to Leverage it:
- Surround yourself with people who embody the behaviors you want to adopt.
- Join communities that align with your goals, whether in person or online.
- Audit your current social circles: Do they reflect who you want to be?
2. Perceived Identity: The Story You Tell Yourself
Perceived identity is shaped by observing your own behaviors. This idea, rooted in self-perception theory by Daryl Bem, suggests that we infer our attitudes and beliefs by looking at what we do.
For example, participants in one study who were asked to write an essay opposing their own beliefs later misremembered their original stance, aligning more with the argument they’d written.
How to Leverage it:
- Understand the story you are telling yourself about who you are.
- Adjust this story to incorporate the new behavior you want to engage in.
3. Desired Identity: Who You Aspire to Be
Desired identity is all about who you want to become. Daphna Oyserman’s identity-based motivation theory emphasizes that when we link our behaviors to our future selves, we’re more likely to act in alignment with our goals.
In one study, students who connected academic tasks to their ideal future selves showed improved grades and persistence. Similarly, framing health habits as part of becoming a healthier person increased motivation.
How to Leverage it:
- Visualize your ideal self and the life you want to create.
- Link daily habits to the identity you’re striving for.
- Use future-oriented goals to fuel present-day actions.
The Power of Cognitive Dissonance
At the heart of long-term change is the concept of cognitive dissonance—the tension between what you do and what you believe. This psychological discomfort drives us to align our actions with our identity.
But here’s the trap: if your identity doesn’t align with your desired behaviors, the dissonance pulls you back into old patterns. That’s why so many New Year’s resolutions fail—people rely on motivation, discipline, or habits without addressing the root issue: identity.
6 Questions to Use Your Identity to Change Your Life
Here are six powerful questions that can help you leverage these identities to create lasting change in your life.
1. Who are you?
What story are you telling yourself about who you are?
2. How can you integrate new behaviors into your current identity?
Expand your self-narrative to include the habits you want to adopt.
3. Who do you want to be?
Define your desired identity.
4. What actions will help you become that person?
Identify the specific behaviors that align with your goals.
5. Who already engages in these behaviors?
Find role models or communities that embody the traits you want.
6. How can you spend more time around them?
Immerse yourself in environments that support your growth.
Your identity isn’t set in stone. It’s a story—and you’re the author. By leveraging the power of your social, perceived, and desired identities, you can create lasting change and become the person you truly want to be.
So, who are you? More importantly, who do you want to become?
Reflect on these questions. Start rewriting your story. Let your new identity lead you to the life you’ve always dreamed of.
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The Brain Prompt
Who do you want to be?
Take a moment today to rewrite one part of your narrative. What’s a behavior or belief you want to change? Start small, link it to your desired self, and let that shift ripple out into the person you’re becoming.
For more actionable insights, subscribe to Inner Propaganda.
Cheers,
Owen.
