Identity Before Goals: A Lesson From James Clear’s Atomic Habits

Last Sunday, I shared that I started reading a self-help book; Atomic Habits by James Clear. Usually, self-help books aren’t my go-to genre. A year ago, I would have never thought there would be a time when I would actually start reading self-help books let alone falling in love with them. I am a very fast reader. Whenever I start reading a book, I just want to get it done and move on to the next one. I guess I formed this habit in school because I had to meet deadlines. I decided that this wouldn’t be the case for James Clear’s Atomic Habits. I really want to take my time consuming the details. This will be the second and probably the last time I’ll write a review about this book, but that doesn’t mean I will not complete it. I assure you that I will read the book from cover to cover.

During the week, I read another chapter of James Clear’s Atomic Habits: How Your Habits Shape Your Identity and Vice versa. This chapter explores the relationship between identity and healthy habits. Before I read this chapter, I had just a little knowledge about the role of my identity in shaping my habits or goals. However, thanks to James Clear, I know better now. In this chapter, the author asks a strong question: Why is it so easy to repeat bad habits and so hard to form good ones? I can relate to this so well. For example, during my years in the university, I found it so easy to binge-watch anime, especially when there were no exams or tests looming. I could watch anime from morning till night. It comes off so easily. One day, I decided to change and cultivate the habit of reading even if there were no exams, but this was very difficult. I found it easier to watch anime and do nothing but I found it very difficult to read. Why? Why did I find it difficult to change my habits?

James Clear gives this answer by dividing behavior change into three layers: Outcomes, processes, and identity. The outcome is the result you want to get. For example, for me, my outcome would be to get used to reading even though there were no exams or tests around the corner. Processes are the things you do to achieve your outcome. For me, it could be drafting a reading timetable. Lastly, identity. Identity is one layer that so many people overlook. Your identity is who you are; your self-image on the inside.

According to James Clear, “most people focus on outcomes, but lasting change happens when you focus on identity.” People are blinded by the result that they want to achieve and they overlook the identity aspect. Let’s use a Hiver as a case study. A writer on Hive who posts randomly. Let’s say they post once a month. They decided to set a goal to start posting consistently on Hive. However, this same person is lazy. They spend their day playing games or doing other frivolous things. That is who they are. That is their identity. That is how they see themselves. How can you expect someone who sees themselves as a lazy person to start posting every day on Hive? It is only when we tackle and change our identities that achieving healthy habits becomes easier.

In contrast to this person, another person decides to work on their identity. “I am determined. I am consistent. I am hardworking.” Instead of focusing on outcomes, they redirect their energy towards changing their identity. Even if they don’t get the hang of it. Even if they don’t start posting on Hive every day even after a month, the change will come eventually and they will get used to it because they have already built their identity.

In conclusion, remember that there are three layers when it comes to behavior change; Outcomes, processes, and Identity. The first step is to try to build your identity before you get blinded by outcomes/results.

Images in this post are mine.

Thanks for reading.