Intentional Identity Design - A Framework to Map the Inner World
Understanding the Structure of Who You Are to Consciously Shape Who You Become
Introduction
"Huh! Well, that was awkward!"
Remember saying this to yourself, perhaps maybe not out loud. Each of us has had these kinds of moments. Right? One moment you're cracking a joke with your friend at work, and suddenly, your boss walks in. An uncomfortable silence ensues.
That awkward moment of abruptly switching gears feels like you're juggling different versions of yourself depending on who walks into the room. There are so many identities you keep track of. For starters, there is the "work you" vs. the "weekend you." Or the "confident you" vs. the "internally-panicking-but-pretending-you're-fine you."
Trying to pin down "Who am I, really?" can leave you with a sense of sand slipping through your fingers. It’s messy, complex, and sometimes downright confusing. In one instance we feel authentic, the next we feel like we're putting on a mask and playing a part.
We, obviously, want to grow.
We would love to be more intentional.
More us, right?
Now, the question is, where do we even start?
Our internal world feels like a sprawling, uncharted territory. It's an amalgam of thousands of thoughts and a multitude of emotions & feelings. We often don't even know the first thing about how to unpack it.
But, what if we could somehow figure out where to begin?
What if we had a map?
So, Why Do We Need a Map (Seriously, Where Are We?)
Trying to change or, for that matter, "improve" our identity without some sort of structure is like standing in the middle of a desert. Whichever direction your eyes can look, it all looks the same. You wander around and occasionally stumble upon something interesting. But, mostly, you just end up back where you started, or at least you perceive it that way, probably feeling frustrated and slightly lost.
Our lives, too, feel kind of similar. We often fall back into those automatic ways of being – our default settings, our System 1 programming on autopilot – simply because we lack a clear picture of the underlying mechanics. We undeniably want to change, but we're fighting invisible currents and navigating by guesswork.
This is precisely why I've been developing the Intentional Identity Design Framework (IIDF). Think of it as a practical blueprint, a user manual for you. Its goal isn't to give you all the answers but to provide a structure, a map, that helps bring clarity to your inner world. It's designed to help us dissect the different parts of who we are, see how they connect, and figure out where we can apply that deliberate (System 2 thinking) effort most effectively to make real, lasting changes.
The Lay of the Land: 3 Pillars & The Influencing Forces
So, what exactly does this map look like? The Intentional Identity Design framework (IIDF) organizes the complex territory of identity into three core structures – I call them Pillars. This framework also acknowledges a layer of dynamic forces that influence all 3 pillars.
(Don't worry, we're not diving into every nook and cranny in this article – just getting the basic geography down!)
Pillar 1: Defining Elements of Identity: You can think of this as the conscious part of our identity. This is the stuff we usually point to when defining ourselves. It’s how we perceive ourselves and the identity we aspire to build.
It includes our roles (parent, leader, friend), our stated values (what we say matters), our goals and aspirations, the labels we use, and the stories we tell about ourselves. It’s the "Character Blueprint" of our identity.
Pillar 2: Inner Foundation of Identity: This is the deeper stuff, the often-unconscious "Source Code" driving our automatic System 1 responses. It’s where our operational core beliefs live (what we actually assume about the world, others, and ourselves), our default mindset (Growth vs. Fixed), our emotional patterns, our ingrained self-talk, and our deep, intrinsic 'why'. This is the "Underlying Operating System."
Pillar 3: Identity in Action: This pillar is all about how the first two pillars actually show up in the real world. It's how we express our identity in our day-to-day interactions and experiences. Simply put, it's our identity made tangible.
This happens through our behaviors, our choices (especially under pressure), our communication style, our habits, how we handle conflict, and how we navigate relationships. It's the "Real-World Performance" that we demonstrate consciously or, at times, unconsciously.
Forces Influencing Identity (The Dynamic Layer): Imagine this as the influencing forces constantly acting upon the three pillars. These are crucial cross-cutting factors. For instance, our ego dynamics, core fears (hey there, Imposter Syndrome!), insecurity and shame, cognitive biases messing with our thinking, social conditioning we absorbed without realizing, and even curiosity pushing us forward. They can support or sabotage our efforts across all pillars.
The Three Pillars and The Dynamic Layer aren't some isolated pieces of a puzzle. They are constantly interacting, and influencing each other in numerous dynamic ways.
Connecting the Dots: Where Intentional Identity Design Meets Intentional Response Theory & FoRC Analysis
Now, you might be thinking, "Okay Nik, another framework... how does this fit with the System 1/2 stuff and that FoRC thing you mentioned?" Great question! They work together like a good navigation system should:
The Intentional Identity Design Framework is the MAP: It shows you how, deliberately or unintentionally, you construct your identity. It includes the Defining Elements, the Inner Foundation, the Actions, and the Influencing Forces.
FoRC Framework is the ANALYSIS TOOL: FoRC stands for Formation/Reinforcement of an element, Recognizing the need for change in that element such as mindset or core belief, and Laws of Change that can be followed for intentional change.
It helps you zoom in on specific parts of the map (especially that Inner Foundation and the tricky bits in the Forces layer) to understand how problematic patterns or beliefs become part of our fast, automatic System 1 thinking (Formation) and what keeps them stuck in a loop (Reinforcement). For the "RC" part of the FoRC framework, the Intentional Response Theory comes into play.
Intentional Response Theory (IRT) + FoRC is the NAVIGATION PROCESS: This is the action part. According to my Intentional Response Theory, "Personal Growth is responding deliberately via our intentional, analytical System 2 Thinking to events our previous self would have reacted to via System 1 Thinking. And keep repeating this process until the intentional System 2 responses override and replace the old habitual System 1 reactions and become the new ones."
Based on the map (from IIDF) and the analysis (via FoRC) of elements, IRT is the process of using your conscious, System 2 thinking to recognize those unhelpful automatic System 1 reactions and intentionally choose a different response (Identity in Action!) aligned with who you want to be. Repeat that enough, and you actually start redrawing the map.
So, What's Next? Let's Explore!
Consider this article the 'You Are Here' marker on our new map. It's just the beginning! This is Part 1 of a mini-series where we'll unpack this framework piece by piece.
In the upcoming articles, we'll take a closer look at each Pillar and the Dynamic Layer, exploring the specific elements within them and how understanding them helps us on this journey of intentional change. We'll start next time by diving into Pillar 1: The Defining Elements of Identity.
Closing Thoughts
Feeling like a complex, sometimes contradictory human is… well, perfectly human. But being complex doesn't mean we have to be confused. By starting to map our inner world with a structure like the Intentional Identity Design Framework (IIDF), we gain the clarity needed to move from being passively shaped by our past programming towards actively, and deliberately designing who we choose to become. It gives us a language and a lens for meaningful self-awareness.
So, maybe brew a cup of something thoughtful, and get ready to explore.
That’s all for this week. If this resonates, feel free to share it! And if you haven’t subscribed yet, I’d love for you to join us on this fascinating journey.
Stay genuine! Stay authentic!
Nik Pathran
PS: I appreciate you reading this. Thanks to the new subscribers!
Really loved this, Nik. The three pillars plus dynamic layer make the whole concept of identity feel way more approachable, and I love how you wove in System 1/System 2 and FoRC without making it feel heavy. Great setup for a series too. Already curious to see where you take it next.