How to Reprogram Your Beliefs

James Clear, in Atomic Habits, hit us with this reality check:

“We don’t rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level of our systems and identity.” If you want to check out the YouTube video instead click here

Translation? You don’t get goals — you become the type of person who can handle them. Want a six-pack? Become the type of person who says “nah” to midnight pizza (tragic, I know). Want a bigger bank account? Become the person who doesn’t buy a $12 iced latte every single day because “treat yourself.”

Let’s break it down with some fun — and a little bit of John D. Rockefeller fire for dessert.

Reality Check: Beliefs Run the Show

Reality isn’t about what’s objectively true. It’s about what you decide is true.
Thoughts → beliefs → actions → results → feedback.

That’s the loop. Easy in theory, hard in practice — especially when Netflix asks if you’re “still watching” and you’re like, “still sabotaging, thanks.”

Tip: be careful what media you consume. If your brain is full of TikTok dances and doomscrolling, don’t be surprised when your results look like…well, doom.

You Made This Mess (Congrats!)

Where you are right now? Your choices put you here.

In shape? That’s you.

Out of shape? Also you.

Broke because of bad Amazon decisions at 2 a.m.? Definitely you.

No one else is holding you back — except the version of you who keeps saying, “I’ll start tomorrow.” Spoiler: tomorrow is a scam.

Identity > Dreams

Here’s the tough love: you don’t rise to your dreams. You sink to your standards.

If your dream is a fat bank account but your “standard” is overdraft fees, guess which one wins? Exactly.

Raise your standards!

Watch the Patterns

You wrestle daily between “who I am” and “who I want to be.” That’s why sometimes you feel like a beast at 7 a.m. (smoothie, gym, meditation) and other times you’re eating Doritos in bed at 11 p.m. wondering if this is what Socrates had in mind.

Catch the dips early. Course-correct. It’s like bowling with bumpers — stay in your lane.

Face the Dark Side

Growth requires contrast. When the “light” feels stale, you’ve got to face your “dark.” Translation: if your afraid of public speaking go to a toast masters meeting. Don’t just sit there where its comfortable just listening to people (safe) get up raise your hand (face the dark) even though your super afraid to go up there and talk in front of everybody!

Nothing is static. The real question isn’t “Who am I?” but “Who am I becoming?” Become the person capable of achieving your goals. What skills does he or she have? And become that person.

Upgrade Your Identity

Most people are prisoners of their identity. “I’m just not a gym person.” “I’m just bad with money.” “I’m just unlucky.” Yeah, and I’m just not buying it.

Your identity isn’t fixed. Redesign it like you’re upgrading your phone. Who do you want to be? Cool. Now start acting like that person — awkwardly at first, but eventually it sticks.

Rockefeller’s Greatest Hits

Let’s sprinkle in some John D. Rockefeller wisdom — the billionaire who basically played life on cheat mode:

• Action solves everything. Stop waiting for “the perfect time.” Perfection doesn’t exist. Take messy action. (Even your “bad” reps build muscle — at the gym and in life.)

• Excuses are the source of failure. The more successful you get, the fewer excuses you’ll make. Excuses are like Wi-Fi at Starbucks: everyone’s got one, and they’re all weak.

• Victory is a habit. Failure is also a habit. Which one are you practicing today?

• Confidence is the hack. Believe you can do it, and your brain will literally find ways to make it happen. Believe you can’t, and congrats, you’re right.

• Second place = last place. Harsh? Yes. But the man didn’t build an empire by being thrilled with participation trophies.

Belief + Action = Transformation

You can alter your entire life by altering your beliefs. Think bigger, act bolder, stop waiting for perfect.

Victory isn’t a one-time thing — it’s a lifestyle. Failure isn’t a one-time thing either — it’s a lifestyle. Which one are you choosing to practice today?