#329 - Monday Motivation: The Difference Between Who You Are and Who You Want to Be is What You Do

Feb 03, 2025

Welcome to another short but empowering episode of Monday Motivation, giving you a dose of inspiration as you head into your week...

Today, we explore the powerful quote:

"The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do."

This thought-provoking mantra reminds us that our dream life isn't built on wishes—it's shaped by our actions.

Three key takeaways you can expect from this episode:

How to visualize your future self and identify small daily actions that align with your dream life.
The transformative power of micro actions and why starting small is the key to big change.
How to shift your identity to embody the person you want to become, making success feel natural.

Take this opportunity to learn how to break free from the "someday" mindset and start taking meaningful steps today.

As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonates with you from this episode and what you plan to implement after listening in. So please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here.

Have a wonderful week… and remember, it all starts with a dream 💛

💛

Dream Life & kikki.K Founder

SHOW NOTES:

Join my Platinum Coaching Program - where starting tonight, in February our focus is on Stepping Into the Best Version of You, by building habits that align with your dreams. Learn more here.
Join my virtual book club GROW for February where we meet weekly on Zoom to discuss and squeeze the learnings from great books. This Feb we're reading The Habit Revolution, by Dr Gina Cleo - focussing on remarkable techniques that rewire your brain to form good habits.
Dream Life Community Facebook Group: Connect with like-minded dreamers.

RESOURCES:

Sign up to our email list here to hear about upcoming workshops.
Take your first step to getting clarity on what you want from life with this free bonus dreaming exercise here 101 Dreams Audio Guide
Buy Kristina's book, Your Dream Life Starts Here
Discover how close you are to living your Dream Life. Take our 5min Quiz here and get personalised insights emailed to you...

TRANSCRIPT:

Kristina Karlsson:
Good morning, and welcome back to another episode of Monday Morning Motivation, your weekly dose of inspiration to start your week with energy, clarity, and a renewed commitment to your dreams.

Today, we're diving deep into a powerful quote:
"The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do."

Let that sink in for a moment. Your dream life isn’t just about what you wish for—it’s about what you do. It’s built moment by moment, choice by choice, action by action.

So, let’s explore what that means for you and how you can take small but powerful steps toward becoming the person you truly want to be. Ready? Let’s do this!

Step 1: Get Clear on Who You Want to Be

Before we talk about doing, we need to talk about being. Who is the best version of you? What does she—or he—look like? How do they show up in the world?

I love this simple yet powerful exercise:
Close your eyes for a moment (if it’s safe to do so) and imagine your future self—the version of you living your dream life. How does she spend her days? What does she have? Who does she surround herself with? And most importantly, how does she feel when she wakes up in the morning?

Now ask yourself:
What’s one thing she does daily that you can start doing today?

She’s not some distant version of you. She’s already within you, waiting for you to take action. This is a great exercise to journal on because visualizing and writing tap into different parts of your mind. Do whichever feels right—or even better, do both.

Step 2: The Power of Micro Actions

Here’s where most people get stuck. They have a big vision but feel overwhelmed about where to start. The secret? Start small.

Want to be healthier? Don’t overhaul your entire diet overnight. Start with an extra glass of water today or add a serving of greens.
Dream of writing a book? Don’t wait for hours of free time. Write for just five minutes today.
Want to be more confident? Start with a tiny act of courage—speak up in a meeting or compliment a stranger.

Small actions compound over time. They build momentum. They signal to your brain, “Yes, I am this person. I’m becoming her right now.” Starting small is the key.

Step 3: Break the “Someday” Cycle

How often do we say, “I’ll start on Monday” or “I’ll begin when I have more time”? The truth is, “someday” never comes.

Here’s a challenge:
What’s one thing you can do today—right now—that brings you closer to your dream life?

It doesn’t have to be big:

Want to start a business? Decide on the name today—or if you already have one, buy the domain.
Want to get fitter? Put on your runners and go for a 10-minute walk.
Want to improve your mindset? Start a gratitude journal or do a quick, two-minute meditation.

Your dream life starts with action, not just intention.

Step 4: Rewire Your Identity

This is a big one. Instead of thinking, “I have to force myself to do this,” shift your mindset to, “This is just who I am now.”

Want to be a writer? Don’t say, “I need to force myself to write today.” Say, “I am a writer, and writers write.”
Want to be a runner? Say, “I’m a runner, so I run.”
Want to be a confident leader? Say, “I am a confident leader, and this is how I show up.”

When you shift your identity, your actions naturally follow. This is something we’ll focus on in February in the Dream Life Coaching Program—stepping into your future self. It’s incredibly powerful.

Step 5: Celebrate Your Daily Wins

Every step forward is a win. When you acknowledge your wins, you create motivation to keep going.

Before you go to bed tonight, write down:

One thing you did today that moved you closer to your dream life.
One thing you’re grateful for.
One small action you’ll take tomorrow.

Success isn’t about one massive leap. It’s about consistent, intentional steps. Small actions matter.

Final Thoughts: Take Action Now

The difference between where you are and where you want to be is what you do.

So, what will you do today to take that step closer to your dream life?

If this episode resonated with you, I have the perfect opportunity. In February, we’re focusing on stepping into your future self in the Dream Life Coaching Program. It’s the perfect theme for February—about becoming the new version of you:

The one who confidently takes action
Lives in alignment with her dreams, values, and passions
Stops waiting and starts doing

And here’s the secret: Who you surround yourself with matters.
Being part of a community of like-minded dream-chasers will fast-track your growth, keep you inspired, and support you along the way.

If you’ve been thinking about joining, now is the perfect time.
Let’s do this together! Head over to www.yourdreamlifestartshere.com—I’ll link to it in the show notes.

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend who needs a little Monday motivation today. Let’s keep inspiring each other to take action and create lives we truly love.

Until next time, keep dreaming, keep doing, and remember—you’re capable of more than you think.

As always, I’ll be back on Friday with a brand new episode. See you then! 💛