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As much as we’d like to believe that all of our actions are carefully considered, this is simply not the case. Because our habits govern the majority of our daily activities.
Our usual time of waking up, our favorite beverage, and the food we eat. These are just a few of the things we do on a daily basis as a result of habit.
Our habits, therefore, are one of the factors that contribute to who we are. And since our habits define us, it is essential that we develop the right habits for the person we want to become.
What are habits
For better understanding, habits are the daily things you do on a routine basis. They are automatic actions that you don’t put much thought into.
And the reason for this is because it is what the brain is hardwired to do. Each of your actions goes through neural pathways in the brain. When a certain action gets repeated enough, the process gets shifted to the cue-response region of the brain.
This is the brain’s way of conserving energy, which can then be used for important decision-making tasks.
How habits are formed
Let’s say you wake up each morning, make your coffee, drink it and then feel energized. This is an example of a habit loop.
This habit loop is formed through a three-step process, which includes a cue, a response, and a reward.
Cue
This is the reminder of the habit you are about to undertake. These are the signs that trigger your brain to make a response.
Response
The response comes right after the cue. This is your actual habit, which could be a thought or an action.
In establishing a new habit, your motivation or the amount of friction that the behavior will encounter will determine the response or reaction. Furthermore, the response will be determined by your ability to carry out the action.
Reward
After the response, comes the reward. This is the satisfaction and the learning that we get because of the habit.
There are two things in the reward factor that enables a habit. First, is the sense of accomplishment or of gratification after the action.
The second is that it teaches your brain to remember important actions for future reference. Because the brain is capable of detecting actions that will provide you with pleasure.
So, once the brain detects the cue that will eventually lead to the reward and the cycle is repeated enough times, you have formed a habit.
How to define yourself with habits
To paraphrase James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, the key to developing long-lasting habits is to first focus on creating a new identity.
You must develop the identity of the person you want to become. And trust that you can be that person because of the habits that you build with that identity.
Building a habit through an identity requires that you first have a clear sense of the person you want to become. Then start small incremental steps that will lead to that identity.
For example, if you want to create a cooperative identity. The small step you would take is to start listening to what others have to say. You can also appreciate good ideas that did not come from you. Or try to work things out their way.
Learning the ability to listen and appreciate others will identify you as a cooperative person.
One good example provided by Clear (that I’m also working on) is becoming a writer. And for this example, Clear says, you should cultivate the identity of someone who writes 1,000 words every day.
And the first step in developing this identity is to write a paragraph every day for a week and then build from there.
Change your habits, change your life
Experts say that our habits account for 40% of our daily activities. And this fact only reiterates how our habits can have an important role in our life. That is if you want to improve your life, you have to change your habits.
Again to quote Clear, he states that,
Your current behaviors are simply a reflection of your current identity. What you do now is a mirror image of the type of person you believe that you are (either consciously or subconsciously).
So then, if you want to become a better person, start with developing better habits. Here are the steps you need to take to develop good habits.
Compelling reason
First, have a compelling reason. Or simply put, your WHY.
People will eventually change because they WANT to or NEED to. In both cases, it is the motivation, the WHY, that will drive them to change. This is also the reason that will keep them going until it becomes a habit.
Defined goal
Having a specific goal allows you to plan the steps, the small steps you must take to achieve the goal. Furthermore, having a goal will give you focus and serve as a beacon to keep you on track.
Most experts will tell you that a clearly defined goal is SMART. This means that your objective is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.
Keep improving
Build on what you’ve accomplished the day before. Every morning presents an opportunity to learn new things or improve upon your knowledge.
So take advantage and build habits that allow you to move an inch closer to the person you want to become.
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Stay consistent
It is difficult to change your current habits to ones that will help you identify with your goal. This is because your current habits have become ingrained and much easier to re-establish.
Thus, it is important to employ the new habits you are developing with consistency. Consistency in your actions and perseverance in your efforts will lead to success and help you become the person you want to be.
The process of changing your identity should not focus on the result. Rather, it should focus on the small things that identify with the results.
Summary
To summarize, habits play an essential role in our identity because they account for 40% of our daily actions.
Our habits are formed as a result of the habit loop being established in our brain as a result of repetition. That is the cue-response-reward loop.
This habit loop is essential in changing and identifying with the person we want to become. And this change in identity starts with having a clear sense of that person you want to identify with. Second, take small steps that will lead to said identity.
In changing your habits, you will also change your life. But for this to happen, these are the steps you need to take:
- Have a compelling reason to change. Your WHY.
- Have a defined goal. It should be SMART.
- Keep improving. Build on what you have accomplished the day before.
- Stay consistent. Consistency will lead to success.
Please share your thoughts about this article in the comments below. You might be interested in these articles as well:
Top 10 Reasons Why Change Is Difficult
How To Start Over Even When You Feel Old
9 Effective Habits For A Happy Life
29 Quotes To Make Change A Little Easier
9 Powerful Soft Skills You Need In Writing
Outside reference:
Identity-Based Habits: How to Actually Stick to Your Goals This Year
Who You Are is What You Do