If you only take away one lesson from Atomic Habits, let it be this: focus on changing who you believe you are, not just what you want to achieve. 

Disclaimer: I’m not discouraging anyone from reading the book — in fact, I believe this is a must-read for anyone and everyone trying to incorporate good discipline in their lives.

But life is what it is, and sometimes you don’t have time for a 320-page book; much like you don’t have time to read a 300-word blog, so I’m just going to shut up and get right to the point. 

The core lesson from Atomic Habits is to shift your mindset from outcome-based habits to identity-based habits.

As James Clear puts it: “Many people begin the process of changing their habits by focusing on what they want to achieve. This leads us to outcome-based habits. The alternative is to build identity-based habits.

With this approach, we start by focusing on who we wish to become.” Changing your attitude towards what you want to achieve helps you get there faster.

The author gives an example of two people attempting to quit smoking. When presented with a cigarette, the first responds with, “Sorry, I’m trying to quit.” The second responds with, “Sorry, I’m not a smoker.”

And the difference is obvious. It’s also quite evident which one is going to kick their bad habit to the curb first. 

Most people don’t even consider the positive outcome that an identity change can bring about when trying to adapt to a new behavior.

Want to learn the guitar? Shift from “I want to learn the guitar” to “I am a musician.” Want to start eating healthier? Change your attitude to “I am a healthy eater.” And that’s it. The neurons in your brain get all fired up to help turn your vision into reality. 

Here’s how I’ve tried to use the same philosophy in my daily life. I am, by no means, an athlete of any kind. I do like to dribble occasionally in the gym and on the track, but anyone who saw me run would clearly see my lack of athleticism.

But I have always wanted to be consistent at the gym and show up every day, no matter what. So what do I do? I tell myself I am an athlete. At first, calling myself an athlete felt like an inside joke; I would chuckle every time I told myself I was one.

Playing pretend didn’t come as easily as I thought it would. There was always a little voice in the back of my head whispering, ‘Who are you kidding?’ But I’ve learned to quiet it down and remind myself that showing up is what matters. And I don’t stop there, because when I go in, I go ALL the way in, you best believe me.

So, cut to now, I have a fitness watch and not just any fitness watch, because athletes need the best, don’t they? I have a small selection of running shoes and a wardrobe dedicated to workout clothes, color-coded and everything.

Does this make me an athlete? Hell no! However, it does motivate me to go to the gym five days a week. So, I still have a body that says: “works out but eats cookies”, but at the end of the day, I’m proud that I put my hair up in a ponytail and worked some of it off.

And that’s kind of the point, isn’ it? 

Atomic Habits by James Clear is filled with anecdotes and advice on how to make lasting, intrinsic changes in our lives.

In my next blog, or the one after that, I’ll dive further into other strategies that can help make a difference. Until then, this is Spidy, signing out!