Identity: The Root of all Change

I want to become more athletic, slim down, build some muscle, and achieve everything else that comes with being fit. The problem is that every time I try to start going to the gym, I get tired, find other things I’d rather do, and quickly lose motivation. I don’t believe that I am fit, and soon my actions reflect that belief.

Everyone can relate to this story in some way. People want to change something about their lives but quickly find the actions needed to make that change exhausting and undesirable. We want the outcome, but the actions required to achieve it feel too foreign to become part of our daily lives.

This is where the book Atomic Habits offers a solution. When we want to change something about ourselves—whether it’s becoming slimmer, wealthier, or smarter—we often try to change our behavior to reach those goals. But we frequently overlook the fact that behavioral change comes from a shift in identity. A sluggish person will never become diligent as long as they continue to see themselves as sluggish. Before they can become diligent, they must first decide within themselves that they are no longer sluggish, but diligent.

The book emphasizes that true, lasting change doesn’t start with acting on a desire—it starts with a fundamental shift in identity. Just as your identity is shaped by the sum of your actions, your actions are also driven by your identity. Therefore, don’t just focus on what you need to do to achieve a goal. First, develop a clear understanding of the person you want to become and fully adopt that identity. When your identity changes, your actions will naturally follow.

When your foundation is strong, your house will surely stand.