The Power of Identity-Based Habits
If you’re like me, you occasionally struggle to stick to a regular fitness routine. We often make excuses to skip workouts, saying things like "I should work out," but these intentions often go unfulfilled. Your identity, which is what you believe about yourself, plays a big role in this struggle.
Decide Who You Want to Be
Consider this simple change in self talk:
Before: "I should go for a run."
After: "I am a runner, so I run consistently."
This is the difference between routine-based habits and identity-based habits. Before, your actions are not tied to a specific identity or self-image. You are behaving a certain way just based on external factors, goals, or routines.
Identity-based habits, however, align your actions with your desired self-image. It's a small change, but your actions mirror the person you aim to become.
James Clear, in his book "Atomic Habits" simplifies the process of cementing identity-based habits into two steps:
Decide the type of person you want to be.
Prove it to yourself with small wins.
Reinforce Your Identity
Stop viewing exercise as a task or a chore. Instead, see it as a way to prove your identity to yourself. Each time you work out, you strengthen the image of the person you want to become. This concept applies to anything you aim to improve, whether it's writing, relationships, or your professional life.
Here’s a non-running example:
Before: “I should eat healthier.”
After: "I am a health-conscious individual, so I make nutritious choices."
Reinforcement: Each and every time you cook a balanced meal or avoid unhealthy food, you strengthen your belief that you are a in fact “health conscious” individual.
You start choosing healthier foods not just because you should, but because it aligns with your identity.
Boost Confidence Through Positive Self-Talk
Without a strong running identity, negative self-talk can undermine your efforts, leading to self-fulfilling prophecies of failure. Embracing an identity-based habit bolsters self-confidence. You'll think, "I am a runner, and runners persist." This shift in self-perception empowers you to overcome mental barriers and continuously push your limits.
What identity-based habits are you forming?
Go Far!