You Don’t Rise to the Level of Your Goals — You Fall to the Strength of Your Identity

“You don’t become strong by avoiding failure. You become strong by deciding who you are in the face of it.” – Michael Ripia

Everyone talks about goals.
Revenue goals. Fitness goals. Follower goals.
But goals aren’t what separate those who succeed from those who give up.

It’s identity.

You don’t rise to your vision. You fall to your systems.
And systems are built on how you see yourself.

The Moment It Clicked for Me

Years ago, when I was still juggling multiple projects, burning out, and losing momentum, I kept setting bigger goals.
More money. More leads. More growth.

But I’d burn out. Hit walls. Ghost my own consistency.
I started to wonder — was I lacking strategy? Or something deeper?

Then it hit me:

I was chasing goals with the identity of someone who didn’t yet believe they deserved them.

So I stopped asking, “What should I do?”
And I started asking,

“Who would I need to become to achieve this?”

Your Identity Is the Real Operating System

We act in alignment with how we see ourselves.
That’s why diets fail.

Why business plans sit in folders.
Why people break promises to themselves.

Because the actions aren’t wired into identity.

If you see yourself as inconsistent, you’ll act inconsistently.
If you see yourself as someone who finishes things — you’ll finish.
Even when it’s hard.

Want to Build a 7-Figure Business?

Ask yourself:

• Do I see myself as a CEO or a freelancer?

• Do I take ownership when things go wrong, or look to blame?

• Do I show up daily, even without motivation?

Your habits follow your identity.
Not the other way around.

Rebuilding After Failure Starts With Who, Not How

When things collapse — and they will — the real question is:

“Who am I now?”

Are you the kind of person who quits after a failed launch?
Or the kind who learns and rebuilds?

Are you the kind who stays knocked down?
Or the one who always gets back up?

I’ve failed more times than I can count.
Lost deals. Bad hires. Financial setbacks.

But each time, I reminded myself:
“I’m the guy who figures it out. Every time.”

And I did.

How to Upgrade Your Identity

Here’s how I did it — and how you can too:

1. Choose a new identity

Not a fake one. A future one.
“I’m the kind of person who shows up daily.”
“I’m the kind of founder who makes bold decisions.”

2. Stack small wins

Show up consistently with actions that align.
Identity isn’t built in a day — it’s built in evidence.

3. Act like it’s already true

You don’t wait to feel confident.
You act confident first.
That’s how the real version of you emerges.

Success Is Built on Identity Habits

Forget motivation.
Build identity-based habits:

• The person who values their time? They calendar block and say no.

• The person who’s consistent? They don’t wait to “feel like it.”

• The person who’s a leader? They take responsibility, even when it’s uncomfortable.

You already know what to do.
The real shift is deciding who you are when no one’s watching.

“You become unstoppable when your actions are a reflection of your identity — not your emotions.”

Final Thought

At the end of the day, your results aren’t determined by your dreams.
They’re determined by your standards.
And your standards flow from your identity.

You want to grow?

Start by becoming the person who can carry that growth.

Because once you see yourself differently, everything changes.