Change can be hard, you probably already recognise this. How many years have gone by where you have successfully achieved all of your New Years resolutions? I am guessing it is probably not many. Most of us want to become healthier or stronger but even if we get really motivated it's more than likely that we will be in the exactly the same position 12 months from now.
In James Clears best selling book 'Atomic Habits' he discusses the key to making lasting change is to focus on creating a new identity first. Our behaviours are a reflection of who we believe we are whether consciously or subconsciously. To make lasting behaviour change we need to start believing new things about ourselves and start adopting identity based habits.
There are three levels of behaviour change - Outcome, process and identity change.
If we think about our typical goals these are traditionally outcome based. We want to lose 10kgs, we want to bench press 100kgs or run a half marathon.
The second level is around changing your habits and systems for example implementing a new routine at the gym, decluttering your desk for better workflow, developing a meditation practice.
The deepest level of habit change is changing your identity. This level is concerned with changing your beliefs: your worldview, your self-image, your judgments about yourself and others.
But how do we change our identity. James Clear lays out a rather simple method for identity change. It is a 2 step process.
1) Decide the type of person you want to be
2) Prove it to yourself with small wins
How can we do that?
Want to lose weight?
Identity: Become the type of person who moves more every day.
Small win: Buy a steps tracker. Walk 50 steps when you get home from work. Tomorrow, walk 100 steps. The day after that, 150 steps. If you do this 5 days per week and add 50 steps each day, then by the end of the year, you’ll be walking over 10,000 steps per day.
Want to get stronger?
Identity: Become a person who never misses a workout.
Small win: Do squats every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
If you're looking to make a change then stop worrying about results and start worrying about your identity. Become the type of person who can achieve what you want to achieve. The results can come later.
