Hey beloved!
Welcome back to this week’s 🌿 Rooted & Rising! If you’ve ever restarted the same habit for the 39th time, wondered why discipline feels impossible, or realized you’re trying to slap Jesus onto your life instead of letting Him transform it- this one’s for you.
But before we go any further…
🥭 A Spiritual Snack🥭
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
Where I Got Checked ✅
Last week, Cee and I were building out accountability checkpoints for Royal Authority. We both have our own businesses outside of R.A., and we needed a system to make sure we’re actually showing up for what we say we’re building.
Mid-conversation (honestly, can’t remember if it was a phone call, voice note, or a text thread at this point), I remembered this TikTok I’d watched earlier that day. It was about how we try to slap Jesus onto our current identity instead of letting Him transform us into entirely new people.
As I scrolled away dramatically it hit me:
I’ve been doing the same thing with my habits.
Trying to add “exercise every day” to my current identity as someone who needs the competition of ClassPass to get through any exercise routine.
Trying to add “disciplined morning routine” to my identity as someone who sets a 30 minute timer for a little extra sleep every other morning.
Trying to add “healthy eating” to my identity while keeping “emergency cookies” in the house “just in case”.
It reminded me of James Clear’s Atomic Habits - the whole premise is that identity change comes BEFORE behavior change. You don’t just “want to exercise.” You have to become someone who exercises. The question isn’t “What should I do?” It’s “What would a disciplined person do?”
I’ve been asking God for the discipline to carry the weight of the assignment He’s given me, but I haven’t been willing to let Him transform me INTO a disciplined person.
I’ve been trying to slap discipline onto my current identity instead of becoming someone new entirely.
And as a shock to no one: that doesn’t work.
The Breakdown: Become the Person, THEN Do the Thing 🤏🏾
Last week in Issue #18, we talked about closing loops so you don’t have to keep revisiting the same tasks. But here’s the tea for this week: the reason we keep reopening those same loops is because we’re trying to change behavior without changing identity.
You don’t just become a consistent or healthy or disciplined person overnight, it’s a result of the sum of your choices & how driven you are to be transformed.
This is exactly what Romans 12:2 is talking about. Paul doesn’t just say “spritz some Christian habits onto your current lifestyle.” He says let God TRANSFORM you into a NEW person by changing the way you think.
The transformation comes first.
The behavior follows.
Here’s the shift to remember:
Instead of: “I should work out today” (obligation, external pressure)
Ask: “What would someone who values their body do right now?” (identity-driven, internal conviction)
Instead of: “I need to post consistently” (shame-based, feels like a chore)
Ask: “What would a consistent creator do today?” (identity-driven, feels like alignment)
Instead of: “I should eat better” (vague, guilt-inducing)
Ask: “What would a healthy person choose for lunch?” (specific, empowering)
The biblical parallel:
When you accepted Christ, you didn’t just add Jesus to your old life. You became a NEW creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The old you kicked the bucket.
The new you came moonwalking in.
That’s transformation, not addition.
The same principle applies to every area of your life. You can’t just slap new habits onto your old identity and expect them to stick.
You have to let the Word transform you BACK into who you were created to be, before the world told you who you should be, before trauma shaped your coping mechanisms, before fear became your default setting.
You were pure as a child. You knew exactly who you were. The goal isn’t to become someone new, it’s to return to who you’ve always been underneath all the layers the world added.
The question that changes everything?
“Who do I need to become to carry the weight of the assignment God has given me?”
Then become that person.
“I like the sound of that.” - Michelle “Queen of Becoming” Obama (probably)
This Week’s Challenge 👀
This week, let’s practice identity-first living
Step 1: Pick ONE identity you need to step into
Examples:
A disciplined person
A healthy person
Someone who honors their body as a temple
A consistent creator
Someone who finishes what they start (shoutout to last issue)
A person who moves in obedience, not fear
Step 2: Every time you face a decision this week, ask:
“What would [that identity] do right now?”
Not “What should I do?” (external pressure)
Not “What do I feel like doing?” (emotions-based)
But “What would the person I’m becoming do in this moment?” (✨identity-driven✨)
Step 3: Notice the shift
Pay attention to how this changes your decision-making.
Notice how behavior flows naturally from identity instead of feeling forced. Notice how much easier it is to make the right choice when you’re not fighting against your own sense of self.
You’re not trying to force yourself to do something you “should” do. You’re simply acting in alignment with who you’re becoming.
Disclaimer: You’re going to feel like an imposter at first, but soon it’ll feel natural and you’ll be proud of yourself for coming into alignment with who you always knew yourself to be.
Remember: You can’t slap new habits on an old identity. But when you become a new person? The habits follow effortlessly.
Monday Move 💃🏾
Pop on this playlist of Christian bops that got me through last week, take a moment to stretch, breathe, (and dance if you must) and leave with a reminder for the week ahead.
Your playlist:
The TLDR: “You can’t add discipline to an undisciplined identity. You can’t slap Jesus onto your current life and expect transformation. Let God transform you into a NEW person, THEN watch how naturally the habits follow. Become the person first. Do the thing second.”
Let’s Work Together! 🕊️
Reply to this email - I read and respond to every response and love hearing from you!
Forward this to someone who needs permission to stop forcing habits and start becoming the person who naturally does those things!✨
Ready to turn consistency into actual results? I work 1:1 with founders and creatives who are serious about building an online presence that converts on LinkedIn. If you’re ready to invest in showing up for yourself and your business with clear messaging that attracts your ideal clients and accountability that keeps you consistent - reply to this email and we’ll map out your next steps.
Stay rooted in who you are. Keep rising in your calling!
Here for the journey with you ✨,
