How Habits Shape Your Identity
Habits. Habits. Habits.
Everyone loves to talk about them. Heck, I love to talk about them too. Let’s dive to a deeper level of the topic.
Your habits shape your identity.
This idea comes from chapter two of Atomic Habits by James Clear. If you haven’t given this book a read, I highly suggest you do. It’s definitely one that can be read every year or referred back to as needed.
There are three layers to behavior (habit) change.
The first, most outer layer revolves around changing your outcomes. Here the focus is on changing outcomes such as losing weight or running a marathon. We tend to set most of our goals at this level.
The second, middle layer relates to changing your processes. This is concerned with altering habits and systems. This can look like starting a new gym routine or developing a meditation practice – most of the habits we build are at this level.
Finally, the third, inner layer is associated with changing your identity. Beliefs are changed and formed here like our worldview, self-image and judgements. Majority of the beliefs, assumptions and biases we maintain are formed here.
Outcomes are what you get, processes are what you do and your identity is what you believe.
The direction of change is HUGE. We often start by focusing on what we want to achieve. While having this awareness is good, it only leads to outcome-based habits.
The problem? They don’t last and we often struggle with maintaining them.
Identity is derived from the Latin words essentitas which means being and identidem which means repeatedly.
Why This Matters
Having this understanding is transformative.
It’s ideal to build identity-based habits that focus on who you wish to be. You need to consider the beliefs that drive your actions. A habit can start out of motivation, but the only reason you’ll continue is if it becomes a part of your identity.
Behaviors that do not align with your self will not last. Pride plays a massive role in this. The more pride you have toward an aspect of yourself, the more you’ll be pulled to maintain habits that foster said aspect.
Intrinsic motivation becomes the strongest when a habit becomes a part of your identity. True, true behavior change is identity change. Instead of “I’m the type of person who wants this” you should say “I’m the type of person who is this.”
Your behaviors reflect your identity. What you do daily is a reflection of who you believe that you are (consciously or unconsciously). The more you do something, the more you are solidifying the identity associated with that behavior.
When habits and identity align, no longer are you pursuing behavior change. You’re actually acting like the person you already believe yourself to be. Remember: These are gradual changes.
Takeaways
Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t “change” overnight. Small steps and habits are key. The most efficient way to change who you are is to change what you do.
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”