Welcome to the Stop Sabotaging Your Success Podcast, episode sixty-eight. I’m your host, Cindy Esliger. This is the podcast focusing on what we can do today to take control of our careers and overcome the inevitable barriers to success that we encounter along the way. 

Trying on a new identity and becoming who you need to be in order to achieve your goals and career success can be a challenging, but ultimately very rewarding, experience. It is becoming increasingly important for everyone to be flexible and adaptable in the workplace and to be willing to take on new roles and responsibilities, as needed. This often requires stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the discomfort and uncertainty that come with trying something new. 

In this episode, we will explore the key benefits of trying on a new identity as a strategy for accelerating personal and professional growth. By taking on new challenges and pushing beyond your limits, you can develop new skills and gain valuable experience that can help you advance in your career. Additionally, becoming who it is you need to be in order to succeed can help you develop greater self-awareness and identify areas for improvement. 

However, I have to warn you that trying on a new identity can also be a daunting prospect, and many people struggle with fear and self-doubt when faced with new challenges. Overcoming these fears and doubts requires a combination of perseverance and resilience, as well as a willingness to ask for help and support, when needed. None of this comes easily to anyone and especially to women trying to navigate their way in male-dominated professions. 

We all have many different roles and responsibilities, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels the pressure to act in a certain way in response to the expectations, rules, and judgments imposed on us by others. This has a big impact on what we think we should believe about ourselves and what we think we’re capable of. 

I like to think of trying on a new identity as test-driving a different version of myself and pretending to be someone else, just for a little while. I think of it as putting on my cape and becoming my own version of a superhero, just temporarily. That way I can be the person I imagine myself to be without struggling with the feelings of judgment, worry, or criticism that tend to hold me back. 

One important step before adopting this alter ego is to set clear goals and objectives so you know what you’re trying to achieve and how you’re going to do it, and then decide who you need to be in order to make that happen. We all have an incredible ability to imagine, create, decide, and ultimately change things for ourselves for the better. This creative force within is just waiting to be activated by the power of intention. 

Sometimes we have to listen to those internal nudges that spur us to take action, to move towards something that excites us. Maybe you’re wanting to discover new things or improve at something you’re already doing, but even with all the desire in the world, you are second-guessing whether you can or should even consider it. 

It’s important to approach the process of trying on a new identity with a positive and open mindset. This means being willing to embrace the discomfort and uncertainty that come with trying something new and being willing to take risks and make mistakes along the way. It also means being willing to seek out feedback and constructive criticism, and to use this feedback to make adjustments to your approach in order to be continuously improving. 

Trying on a new identity and becoming who you need to be in order to achieve your goals can be challenging. By being flexible and adaptable, embracing the discomfort, and overcoming your fear and self-doubt, you can develop new skills and gain valuable experience that can help you advance in your career.

With the right mindset and strategies in place, you can be ready to take on new challenges and become the person you need to be in order to meet those inevitable obstacles head-on. It has to do with how we define ourselves and the world around us, but most importantly, how we show up, which is influenced by how we think, feel, and see ourselves in relation to those around us.

It’s also about how we interpret what’s happening in our environment and what we’re making that mean. It can be very complex with all different layers shaping our behavior. Each layer is built up over time, even without our awareness. 

Trying on a new identity refers to the intentional adoption of new traits, behaviors, or qualities that are aligned with the professional image or role that you aspire to have. It involves consciously transforming yourself in a way that is consistent with what you want and taking deliberate actions to reinforce this new identity, in order to use this to change your results. This approach can be particularly helpful in demonstrating your readiness to move up in your organization as it allows you to more closely align your actions and behaviors with your career aspirations. 

By adopting new qualities or traits that are valued in your desired profession, you can enhance your credibility and establish yourself as a serious contender for opportunities in your field. One of the key benefits of adopting this alter ego is that it allows you to break out of any limiting beliefs or self-imposed limitations that may be holding you back. By intentionally becoming this new version of yourself, you can expand your sense of what’s possible for you that you may not have previously considered.

Adopting a new identity can help you overcome imposter syndrome, which is a common experience among professionals who feel as though they don’t belong or aren’t qualified for their role. By intentionally adopting this new version of yourself, you can bolster your sense of confidence and overcome self-doubt, which can be a major barrier to career advancement. 

We all have responsibilities to perform and expectations to fulfill, so it’s important to first identify the traits, behaviors, or qualities that are most valued in your profession. If you’re unsure about this, it might be worth working with a mentor or career coach who can help you identify your areas for growth. Once you’ve identified the qualities that you want to adopt, it’s important to take deliberate actions to reinforce this new identity mindset.

We all have ambitions buried inside that might be difficult or challenging to achieve, that demand something we’re not quite sure we have at our disposal. We might need to start slowly, by seeking out new opportunities to develop and showcase our skills, or intentionally practicing these new behaviors in the workplace until they feel more natural. 

It’s important to note that adopting a new identity does not mean abandoning your authentic self or compromising your values. Rather, it involves intentionally expanding your sense of self to align more closely with your professional ambitions. By becoming who you need to be to succeed in this way, you can enhance your credibility, expand your possibilities, and further your career. 

In today’s fast-paced and rapidly changing workplace, being flexible and adaptable are critical to succeed in your career. Technological advances and globalization have accelerated the pace of change in the workplace. Companies need to be agile and respond quickly to changes in the market in order to stay competitive, which requires having employees who can adapt to new circumstances and embrace change. 

In many industries, individual roles are changing rapidly. Employees need to be willing and able to learn new skills and adapt to new roles. This requires a more flexible and adaptable mindset than ever before. To advance in your career, you need to be able to take on new challenges and responsibilities while also demonstrating that you are self-directed and adaptable. This often requires you to manage your own schedule and work effectively without direct supervision. You may benefit from creating a new identity so that you can move away from your insecurities and do your job the way you know it needs to be done.

In today’s workplace, it’s essential to be flexible and adaptable, and here are eight tips to help you develop this mindset: 

1. Embrace change and see it as an opportunity for growth rather than a hindrance
2. Be continuously learning new skills
3. Develop resilience and learn from your mistakes
4. Be proactive by anticipating what may be coming, then taking the initiative to solve those problems
5. Develop strong communication skills
6. Build relationships both within and outside of your organization
7. Be open to receiving and applying the feedback you receive
8. Maintain a growth mindset where you believe you can always improve and learn, regardless of your current abilities

By developing a flexible and adaptable mindset, you will be better equipped to succeed. It’s time to create something positive in your life that will enhance your self-efficacy, build your confidence, and give you the courage to exert the power you have, to feel that sense of control, and to face life’s challenges head-on. 

Adopting the attitude that you are already the person who does all the things you need to do and have all the success you want can have several benefits. It can help enhance your motivation and problem-solving skills, and improve your relationships, while reducing your stress and anxiety. 

Believing that you already have what it takes to be successful can help you feel more confident in your abilities. This can lead to improved performance where you’ll naturally feel more motivated to work towards your goals. This can help you stay focused and dedicated to your work, even when faced with challenges or setbacks. 

Adopting the mindset of a successful person can help you approach problems and challenges with a more positive and proactive attitude. This can help you come up with creative solutions and think outside the box, giving you an opportunity to build strong, positive relationships with your colleagues and managers. This can lead to increased collaboration, better communication, and greater satisfaction in the workplace. 

When you believe that you already have what it takes to be successful, you’ll naturally feel less stressed and anxious about what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. This can lead to improved mental health and greater overall wellbeing. Adopting the attitude that you are already the person who does all the things you know need to be done can be challenging.

Here are three of the most common obstacles that you might face and ways to overcome them:

1. Fear of failure
2. Imposter syndrome
3. Comparison to others

So back to number one, fear of failure. It can hold you back from adopting a success-oriented mindset. To overcome this, reframe those things that are bound to go wrong as lessons learned, albeit perhaps the things you’re going to have to learn the hard way. Continue to take small steps towards your goals and remember to celebrate your progress along the way. 

Number two, imposter syndrome. It’s that feeling that you don’t deserve your success or that you’re a fraud. To overcome this, remind yourself of your achievements and your accomplishments and focus on your strengths and abilities. Talk to supportive colleagues or mentors who can provide reassurance and encouragement because you know that they have your best interests at heart and truly want you to succeed. 

And number three, comparing yourself to others can be a major obstacle to adopting a success-oriented mindset. To overcome this, stay in your lane and focus on your own progress. Avoid comparing yourself to others, and instead focus on what it is you can control, which includes your level of effort and your attitude. 

While this new identity of the person who is already doing everything they need to do to succeed in the workplace can have many benefits, there are also potential pitfalls to be aware of. 

Here are five things that could go wrong and how to avoid them: 

1. Being overconfident
2. Ignoring feedback
3. Not collaborating
4. Having unrealistic expectations
5. Experiencing burnout

Let’s dig a little deeper into these. Adopting this mindset can lead to overconfidence, which can be detrimental if it then leads to complacency or neglect of ongoing learning and improvement. To avoid this, continue to seek out opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge while embracing a beginner’s mindset.

If you believe that you are already doing everything you need to do to succeed, you may be less open to feedback from others. To avoid this, actively seek out advice and observations of those around you to continue to improve even in your blind spots. In addition, it can sometimes block your desire to collaborate with others. To avoid this, remind yourself that there is value in diverse perspectives and experiences and reach out to those around you for their insight.

Sometimes, this mindset can also lead to having unrealistic expectations of yourself or others, which can bring on disappointment and frustration. To avoid this, set attainable goals that stretch you a little while checking in with your expectations and try to be flexible in your approach.

If you believe that you need to do everything yourself in order to succeed, you may be at risk of burnout. To avoid this, prioritize self-care, delegate where you can, and most importantly, set boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance. There will always be more work to be done. 

While it may seem counterintuitive, trying on a new identity or acting as if you already possess the qualities and skills you aspire to can actually help you advance in your career. By adopting the mindset and behaviors of a successful and confident person, you can build your own self-confidence and easily demonstrate to others that you are capable of taking on new challenges and responsibilities. 

In essence, trying on a new identity is a way to ‘fake it until you make it’. By embodying the qualities and behaviors of the person you aspire to be, you can start to see yourself in a new way. So, put on your cape and envision this new version of yourself. This just might lead to new opportunities, promotions, and career growth. 

In this way, you are essentially giving yourself permission to act and think differently. By embodying the qualities and behavior of the person you aspire to be, you can build your self-confidence and overcome any self-doubt or imposter syndrome that may be holding you back. 

Be prepared for others to begin to see you in a new light. This is a good thing. They will start to perceive you as someone who is capable and confident. And who knows where that may lead! 

I can’t wait to see what happens and what you achieve. 

And that’s it for this episode of Stop Sabotaging Your Success. Remember to download your Guide for Achieving the Success You Desire at cindyesliger.com/podcast, episode sixty-eight.

Thank you to our producer, Alex Hochhausen and everyone at Astronomic Audio. Get in touch, I’m on Instagram @cindyesliger and my email address is info@cindyesliger.com.

If you enjoy listening to this podcast, you have to come check out The Confidence Collective. It’s my monthly coaching program where we dig a little deeper into what’s holding you back in your career, and we find the workarounds. We help you overcome the barriers and create the career you want. Join me over at cindyesliger.com/join. I’d love to have you join me in The Confidence Collective. 

Until next week, I’m Cindy Esliger. Thanks for listening.