You’ll Never Outperform Your Identity
- Stefano Palumbo
- Mar 22
- 2 min read
"I'm doing what I'm great at, I'm in my zone of genius...but nothing is working..."
One of my clients is a senior professional with years of experience, credibility, and a clear goal: to become a thought leader in their industry.
They had the skill, the track record, and even a platform.
But every time they sat down to write a post, deliver a talk, or pitch an idea—they froze.
Why?
“I just don’t think I’m that type of person.”
“What if I say the wrong thing?”
“I’m not one of them yet.”
This was something far more essential and much deeper ingrained.
It was an identity block.
They had the ambition and ability, but they hadn’t yet given themselves permission to become the person who already embodied that next level.
So we shifted the work from performance to identity.
Not “How do I do this?” but…
“Who do I need to be for this to feel natural?”
And that’s when things changed.
The Power of Identity Cultivation >>
Years ago, my mentor introduced me to a journaling practice that changed my life:
Every morning, before doing anything, I’d write:
“Who am I becoming?”
“What does that version of me believe, say, do today?”
I began setting daily intentions that aligned with my future self.
Not grand declarations—just micro-decisions that reinforced the identity I was cultivating.
And when I struggled to believe it? I used external reinforcement:
– Feedback from others who already experienced me as that person.
– Environments that called me to rise and be at my best.
– Mentors who mirrored back my potential until I could own it.
Please recognise the distinction between "faking it" and "creating it".
It's about trying something on and growing into it.
The Identity You Claim Determines the Progress You Make >>
If you keep trying to perform at a higher level without upgrading the identity underneath, you’ll always hit resistance.
But once you see yourself differently, your can change your decisions.
Your energy changes.
Your outcomes change.
Want to explore this in detail?
In our next Mindset Moment on Tuesday 25 Feb @ 7PM, we’re diving deep into:
🔹 The connection between identity and underachievement
🔹 Tools to reshape how you see yourself
🔹 A powerful group session to help you claim the identity that matches your next level
Enrol today >>
Because the version of you who gets there…
…is already within you.
See you there,
Stefano