How Do Habits Shape Our Identity? According to the Book Atomic Habits

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Habits are routines that we repeatedly perform without much thought. Although they may seem simple, habits have a profound impact on shaping who we are and how we live our lives. However, we often face a significant challenge, such as “Why is it so easy to maintain bad habits but so difficult to build good ones?”

Habits are not just small daily actions. They also reflect our identity. For example, someone who reads every night might perceive themselves as a knowledgeable person. Conversely, bad habits like procrastination can make us feel undisciplined. Over time, these habits gradually shape how we see ourselves and how others perceive us.

Good habits, such as exercising or studying before class, often take time to show results. Many people lose motivation and quit because they want faster, more immediate outcomes. An unsupportive environment also significantly affects the process of building good habits. Friends, workplaces, or even daily routines can push us back to old habits. Moreover, when starting a good habit, we often set overly ambitious and lofty goals, like exercising for an hour every day or completely cutting out our favorite unhealthy foods. Such ambitious targets make the routine feel burdensome and hard to maintain, leading us to give up quickly.

How to Start Building Good Habits

1. Start Small
   James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, emphasizes that small habits can trigger significant changes. For instance, start by exercising for five minutes a day or reading one page of a book each night. Continue doing this consistently over time until it becomes a habit.
2. Shift Your Mindset to Focus on Identity, Not Results
   Instead of thinking, “I want to lose weight,” change it to “I am a healthy person.” By shifting our perspective, every small step feels like part of a new identity.
3. Create a Supportive Environment
   Design an environment that supports good habits. For example, place a book on the table within easy reach or prepare your workout clothes the night before.

If we keep doing the same thing every day, the results will remain the same. Therefore, we need to realize that changing habits is the key to self-improvement. Consistent good habits, no matter how small, can lead us to the best version of ourselves in the future. (RAU/ARL)