Lasting behavior change comes from shifting your identity (who you are) rather than focusing on outcomes (what you achieve).
Instead of saying 'I'm trying to quit smoking,' say 'I don't smoke.' The first is resisting temptation; the second has no temptation to resist because non-smoking is part of your identity.
You can simply choose any identity you want without considering how trauma, systemic barriers, or neurodivergence constrain identity formation.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Identity changes through accumulated evidence: each habit execution is a vote for the type of person you want to become.
Behavior change operates at three levels: outcomes (what you get), processes (what you do), and identity (what you believe).
Identity changes through accumulated evidence: each habit execution is a vote for the type of person you want to become.
Focus on the process (systems) that leads to results rather than the results themselves (goals) for sustainable progress.
Focus on the process (systems) that leads to results rather than the results themselves (goals) for sustainable progress.
You want to become more financially responsible. Write an identity-based statement and describe one small behavior that would serve as evidence for this identity.
True or False: According to Clear, you can simply decide to adopt any identity you want, and your behaviors will naturally follow from that decision.