Have you ever set a goal, committed to a new habit, and felt a surge of motivation, only to find yourself back at square one weeks later? You're not alone. We often blame a lack of willpower, but the real reason most habits fail is far deeper: we're trying to change the wrong thing.
We focus on the what—the outcome we want to achieve. We obsess over the result on the scale, the number in our bank account, or the finished project. But as James Clear reveals in Atomic Habits, this approach is like trying to change a tree by focusing on its fruits, not its roots.
True, lasting behavior change isn't about what you get. It's about who you become. It's about identity.
The Three Layers of Change: Are You Working Inside-Out?
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| Layers of Behavior Change |
The Outer Layer: Outcomes. This is about your results: losing weight, publishing a book, winning a championship
. Most of the goals you set live here . The Middle Layer: Processes. This is about what you do—your habits and systems. A new gym routine, a daily meditation practice, or a decluttering schedule are all process changes
. The Inner Core: Identity. This is the deepest layer
. It's about what you believe—your worldview, your self-image, and your core beliefs about yourself and the world.
Most people take an "outside-in" approach. They start with the outcome they want and try to force a process that gets them there, all while holding onto the same core identity. This is why it fails. Cleaning a messy room (an outcome) is temporary if you still see yourself as a messy person (an identity)
This idea of focusing on the deeper layers of change is the key to unlocking habits that last. Before we explore how to build your own identity-based habits, the BetterMe channel provides a fantastic overview of this entire framework, from the three layers of change to the habit loop that shapes who we are.
The Power of "I Am": Shifting from Outcome to Identity
The most profound shift you can make is to focus on identity-based habits
Consider the powerful difference between these two statements from someone offered a cigarette:
Outcome-focused: "No thanks, I'm trying to quit." This person still believes they are a smoker who is hoping to change.
Identity-focused: "No thanks, I'm not a smoker." This statement signals a fundamental shift in identity. Smoking is part of a former life, not the current one
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The core truth is this: behavior that is incongruent with the self will not last
You Are What You Repeatedly Do
Your identity isn't set in stone; it emerges directly from your habits
When you make your bed, you cast a vote for being an organized person
. When you write a page, you cast a vote for being a creative person
. When you start a workout, you cast a vote for being an athletic person.
This isn't just a metaphor. The very word "identity" comes from the Latin for "being" and "repeatedly." Your identity is literally your "repeated beingness"
Your Two-Step Blueprint for Lasting Change
So how do you start? The process is simple, though not always easy.
Decide the type of person you want to be. What are your core values and principles
? If you're unsure, work backward from a goal. Ask yourself, "Who is the type of person who could achieve the outcome I want?" . Want to write a book? That person is likely consistent and reliable. Now, your focus shifts from the book to becoming a consistent and reliable person . Prove it to yourself with small wins. Use small habits to cast votes for your new identity
. A friend of James Clear lost over 100 pounds by constantly asking one simple question: "What would a healthy person do?"
. Would a healthy person take the stairs or the elevator ? Would they order fries or a salad ? Each choice was a small vote, reinforcing her new identity until it became her reality .
The Warning: When Your Identity Becomes a Cage
This powerful link between habits and identity is a double-edged sword
How often have you heard (or said) things like:
"I'm terrible with names."
"I'm just not a morning person."
"I'm horrible at math."
When you repeat these stories for years, they become mental grooves that you accept as fact
Progress requires unlearning
The True North of Habit Change
Building better habits isn't about life hacks or achieving external measures of success
This is the real purpose of habits. Quite literally, you become your habits
Reader's Prompt:
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the main reason most new habits fail?
A: According to the article, the primary reason most habits fail is that we try to change the wrong thing. We focus on "outside-in" change, concentrating on the desired outcomes (like losing weight) while holding onto the same core identity (like seeing ourselves as a messy or unhealthy person). This old identity will inevitably sabotage new plans for change.
Q2: What are the "Three Layers of Change" mentioned in the article?
A: The article describes behavior change in three layers, similar to an onion:
The Outer Layer: Outcomes. This layer is concerned with your results, such as losing weight or publishing a book.
The Middle Layer: Processes. This layer relates to what you do, including your habits and systems like a new gym routine or a meditation practice.
The Inner Core: Identity. This is the deepest layer, encompassing your beliefs, your self-image, and your worldview.
Q3: What is the difference between an "outcome-based habit" and an "identity-based habit"?
A: An outcome-based habit focuses on what you want to achieve, whereas an identity-based habit focuses on who you wish to become. For example, a person with an outcome-focus might say, "No thanks, I'm trying to quit," which implies they still see themselves as a smoker. A person with an identity-focus would say, "No thanks, I'm not a smoker," which signals a fundamental shift in their self-image.
Q4: How do our daily actions shape our identity?
A: Your identity emerges directly from your habits. The article explains that every action you take is like "casting a vote for the type of person you wish to become". For instance, making your bed is a vote for being an organized person, and going to the gym is a vote for being an athletic person. As these "votes" accumulate, they provide evidence that reinforces your new identity. In essence, your identity is your "repeated beingness".
Q5: What is the two-step process for creating lasting change based on identity?
A: The article outlines a simple, two-step blueprint for change:
Decide the type of person you want to be. This involves defining your core values or working backward from a goal by asking, "Who is the type of person who could achieve the outcome I want?".
Prove it to yourself with small wins. Use small, consistent habits to cast votes for and provide evidence of your new identity.
Q6: How can a strong identity become a "double-edged sword" and prevent positive change?
A: While a strong identity is powerful, it can become a barrier when you are overly protective of it, even if it's holding you back. When you repeatedly tell yourself stories like "I'm horrible at math" or "I'm not a morning person," these beliefs become ingrained facts. You then begin to resist actions that contradict this identity because "that's not who I am," which becomes the biggest barrier to progress. Lasting progress requires you to continuously edit, upgrade, and expand your identity.
Your journey of continuous learning inspires our work at BetterMe, and we want to ensure our content is tailored to what matters most to you. Is there a particular book, a specific topic, or an author in the realm of personal growth that you would love for us to analyze?
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