IN: Assembling your mindset
OUT: Believing you're just ONE thing.
Over the break, I took a beat to truly think about the person I want to be in 2024. Not from a productivity perspective either – from a creative one.
The last year has changed me in so many ways (we’ll get into that) and I felt called to not just assume one identity… but assemble a brand new one based on the qualities of the identities I craved to step into.
Today’s Creative Urge is all about connecting the dots between our disparate parts in a practical way to carve a path forward based on everyday habits.
The process of identity making
I gotta tell ya – this is THE most intentional I’ve ever been about forging an identity.
Traditionally, I’ve based my identity on work or the people I hang around with. Which definitely got me this far, but when you base who you are on external sources – and those external sources change or ditch you – the fragile house of cards that is your identity can come crashing down around you.
So made a decision: to embrace my multi-passionate creative self and design an identity I could step into, not just wear.
To begin, I selected the types of IDENTITIES I’d like to possess, which are:
Athlete
Artist
Digital Nomad
Mentor, and
Entrepreneur.
Then, I researched the MINDSETS that typified those identities. I created a list of qualities, traits and behaviours that defined each of the different mindsets (no small task!).
Lastly, I handpicked the practical manifestations, aka HABITS, of the mindsets that resonated most with the kind of lifestyle I’d like to lead.
And voila, a new identity is assembled.
My 2024-Self, in 30 dots…
Implement near-obsessive daily routines.
Practice positive second-person self-talk.
Take full responsibility for your own progress, without excuses or blame.
Take more shots than seems sane.
Focus on daily performance and doing your job to the best of your ability.
Refuse to be complacent – always seek to improve.
BE the unknown.
Your sole purpose is to create – go way beyond what you want to sell or what you want to solve.
Have an opinion and voice it regularly.
Find inspiration everywhere.
Cultivate self-discipline: plan, implement and optimise.
Talk to people and try new experiences.
Embrace the freedom to do work and life differently.
Use money as a tool for freedom, not buying more stuff.
Practice gratitude – it’s the highest energy for attracting new opportunities.
Strive for work/life integration, not work/life balance.
Be available, responsive and engaged.
Over-communicate.
Live within your means.
Show your work more than you think so people understand and SEE what you do.
Respect and celebrate differences.
Invest in other people’s success first before asking any favours.
Learn how to make decisions with limited information.
Surround yourself with an intentional community of positive influence and critical guidance.
Pursue and follow through (it can lead to unforeseen opportunities).
View change as something you’re built for.
Listen to your gut – carve your own path.
Don’t look for validation, seek feedback.
Embrace abundance: don’t hoard money, knowledge or time.
Have a bias for action.
It’s not about being militant either – it’s about being intentional
Will I do ALL of these things ALL the time? FUCK NO. But can I look at this list a few times a week to keep myself on track? You betcha.
The whole point of the exercise above isn’t to change who I am either – it’s to change what I believe about the person I am.
Through repetition I’ll eventually convince my beautiful spicy brain that these 30 things are true. Which, to me, is such an exciting prospect.
Can you imagine what your life would be like if it all came true?!
Creatively yours,
Dr Maz xoxo
PS: From the list above, I want to know two things: what numbers resonate with you the most? And what numbers feel the most impossible to believe right now? Hit reply and share your truth.
I love reading what you write. You have a beautiful brain!