The Power of Identity: Transforming Habits
Making changes in people’s habits is a much more difficult process than it seems. Many people think that achieving a goal is possible only with external motivation, but real transformation is a much deeper process. Changing habits is a difficult task for two reasons: 1 – we are trying to change the wrong things and 2 – we are changing habits in the wrong way.
In this blog we want to discuss what is meant by wanting to change something wrong:
Imagine that there are three levels of behavior change: outcome change, process change, and identity change. A habit change at the identity level leads to long-term and real results, because the habit is connected to our “self”. Behind every system of actions is a system of values. That is why change starts not from external behavior, but from internal beliefs. Our actions should reflect the type of person we want to become in the future. Behavior that is incompatible with a person cannot be maintained for long. We may start a habit with motivation, but the only reason we continue with it is because it becomes part of our identity.
Identity can work for you or against you.
When we repeat the same limiting narrative to ourselves year after year, it becomes very easy to accept beliefs as fact. (eg: I’m always late, I’m lame in math…) Over time, we experience internal pressure to maintain our self-esteem. We make every effort to avoid contradicting ourselves.
The more deeply a thought or action is tied to an identity, the more difficult it is to change. And in order to move forward, we need to constantly examine our values, develop and expand our identity in order to become the best version of ourselves.
Because identity plays such a large role in shaping behaviors, we want to review ways it can change:
By making the same choices over and over, the results don’t change, we always get what we got in the past. Therefore, two main steps need to be taken to facilitate the change process:
1. Determine what type of person you want to become. Think about what personal characteristics you want your identity to encompass.
2. Take small actions to prove to yourself that you can be whoever you want to be.
Every small step you take to build your new identity will strengthen your faith.
This is a two-way process. Habits form identity, identity forms habits.
The real transformation of human behavior begins with the change of inner beliefs. Improved habits can change your self-image, and to become the best version of yourself, you need to constantly adjust your values, develop and expand your identity.