“The first step in forming better habits is to change your
beliefs about yourself.“
(James Clear, 2014)
How do you build an identity that is inline with your goals?
How can you change your beliefs and make it easier to stick with good habits for the long run?
Let’s take a look-see…
Okay, now the breakdown…
Hypothetically, let’s say you want to be the type of person who works out every day/never misses a workout. If you believed that about yourself how much easier would it be to get in shape? Every time you choose to do a workout, even if it is five minutes, you are casting a vote for this new identity in your mind.
Every action is a vote for the type of person you want to become.
This is about building consistency. Many tiny actions. It’s how you form better habits.
G.T.D. (getting things done) The Two-Minute Rule
When you start a new habit, make your goals into two-minute bites. This way they are easy to do any time.
The Two-Minute Rule is not about results you achieve. It is about the process of doing the work. The focus is on taking action and letting things flow from there. Getting started is everything!
Now, of course, it works the opposite way as well. Every time you choose to perform a bad habit, it is a vote for that type of identity. When we are wanting to give up a habit, change a habit…it is crucial that we replace it with something else in order to be successful.
If you are looking to do things every now and then…it will have zero impact on change.
Know this…your goal is not to be perfect. Your goal is simply to win the majority of the time. If you cast enough votes for the right identity, eventually the good habits will win out.
IDENTITY-BASED HABITS
Help remove the “all or nothing” philosophy that can so easily wreck our progress. For some reason, we often think that if we fail to follow our exact plan, step-by-step then we have blown it The truth is that it does not work that way at all. If you make a mistake, remember that it is just one vote. Be aware of the votes you are casting and try to win the majority.
Every action is a vote for your identity.
FOCUS ON YOU
Rather than your goals. It is easy to achieve a goal and still not be happy with who you are.
This idea of “casting votes for your identity” reveals how your daily actions add up over long-term. Your actions drive your beliefs and each action you take is a vote for the type of person that you believe that you are.
What beliefs are you expressing through your actions?
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