Cast a vote for who you want to be…?
This a line from James Clear the author of Atomic Habits. He talks about establishing identity based habits, so if you want to run take on the identity of a runner. Every behaviour or action you then ask yourself does this support the identity you wish to adopt.
The runner identity is quite a clear role but what about the type of person you want to be, leaning into your values. If you want to be more caring what actions and behaviours support this person.
Clear talks about the two minute rule, so the identity you wish to adopt scale it down, and simply just start showing up.
He tells the story of Mitch who goes to the gym for 5 minutes, 4 days a week. Mitch knew that he had to master the art of showing up.
We often put off action as we think we need to learn more about the identity, however the best way to learn is to take action. Don’t buy all the equipment and just look at it. Keep the bar low and you will then step into the repetition as with Mitch’s visits to the gym. You gradually build momentum and you will progress which is directly correlated to motivation. (Teresa Amabile the progress principle)
The showing up is reinforcing your desired identity and a desire to repeat the behaviour.
To keep on track rewards are helpful when we were at school it was about getting a badge, now it might be tracking a good decision or casting votes and logging behaviours that compliment the identity. It is always good to make your progress visual. External rewards must be aligned with the internal identity you are driving to adopt. Simon Sinek calls this the “Celery Test”, if you want to be a healthy eater you are not going to have a reward of an unhealthy food, it must be aligned to your new identity.
True behaviour change is identity change eg. The goal is not to run a marathon the goal is to become a runner.
Reshape the way you think about yourself and be happy in yourself.
Every action or behaviour you are casting a vote – building a body of evidence that this is the person you want to be.
Please do get in touch bev@nuggetsoflearning.co.uk
