If you’re new around here, it may surprise you; if you’re not, it will come as no surprise that lately I’ve been enjoying a book or two and one author I’ve been really diving into is John Mark Comer.
Now, full disclosure, Comer is a pastor from Portland, and much of his work leans into following Jesus. However, what I want the message to be here is the truth, that no matter what, if you strip away the religious framing, what you’re left with is a blueprint for change that works no matter who you are.
The core idea? If you change your identity, you can change anything.
Because if the way we’re living isn’t leading to a fulfilling, long, and purposeful existence, then it’s not just our habits that need to shift, which seems to be the primary drive in 2025, it’s also the way we see ourselves and the story we’re telling ourselves about who we are that needs to take shape.
As I’ve been reading and reflecting on Mark Comer’s work, from his books and his podcast episodes, one thing that has become evidently clear is that what applies to the health of the spirit also applies to the steps, actions, and habits we need to create when it comes to our physical health.
Where most peropl get it wrong is they think change starts with goals.
“I’m going to lose 10 kilos.”
“I’m going to run a marathon.”
“I’m going to stop procrastinating, thats it im going! NOW!”
Pain pushes us forward, sure. And we usually start with good intentions. But here’s the problem, goals alone don’t stick! Why? Because deep down, your identity hasn’t changed. You’re still telling yourself,
“I just don’t have the discipline for this.”
“I’ve tried before and it never works for me.”
and my personal favourite, “I’m someone who’s just not that type of person.”
Worse, you’re stuck hanging out with the ‘now you’ because it feels safe… instead of chasing the person you’re becoming, the person you’ll very soon become.
That story you’re telling yourself? It’s killing your growth before it even starts.
I’ve seen this time and time again, even in myself. Just two hours ago, I told our business mentor my week was too busy to write a blog post, and here I am writing this week’s blog post. The second you shift your identity, the story you’re telling yourself, everything else changes. It starts with framing.
So here’s the solution. Stop saying, “I’m trying to get fit.” Start saying, “I’m someone who takes care of my health every day.”
The difference? One is fighting against oneself. The other is living out who you already believe you are.
The best part is you can use this same identity shift not just in your health, but in your finances, your relationships, your work, literally any area of life where you want to grow.
John Mark Comer calls this re-imagining your life. It’s not about slapping on willpower or holding onto habits by the skin of your teeth. It’s about rewriting the script. When you reframe who you are, your actions naturally line up with that identity. You don’t need to force it. You live it.
And no, you don’t have to flip your whole life overnight. Identity change happens in the small, daily wins. Every time you act in alignment with the person you aspire to be, you’re moving one step closer to your aspiration, your future self.
Each rep at the gym, each page of the book, each disciplined choice, it’s another tally in the box that says: “This is who I am.”
Over time, those votes add up. And before you know it, you’re not trying to change anymore. You’ve already arrived. You are the change.
So here’s my challenge to you… Stop obsessing over what you want to achieve. Start asking… Who do I want to become?
Because once you get that answer clear, the rest will fall into place.
It is time. Get up. Get after it. BECOME EXTRAORDINARY.
– Coach Scott