A 21-Year-Old's Journey of Self-Improvement: Update 3

Hello everyone,

I have recently started to implement James Clear’s "Atomic Habits" system of habit creation into my daily life. And the initial results are positive. But before I tell you what I am doing, I should explain what exactly James Clear preaches in his bestselling book.

Before Clear discusses the four steps of habit creation. He addresses the importance of “identity” in the realm of habit creation, and how you (and only you) can decide whatever identity you want. And how your identity is critical in forming your habits. Consider the following scenario laid out in Atomic Habits “Two smokers are trying to quit, but both get offered a cigarette - the 1. person says “No thanks. I’m trying to quit”. It sounds like a reasonable response, but this person still believes they are a smoker who trying to be someone else. They are hoping their behaviour will change while carrying around the same beliefs. The 2. person declines by saying “No thanks. I’m not a smoker”. It’s a small difference, but this statement signals a shift in identity.” The 2. Person no longer identifies as a smoker and having a cigarette is of course no use to a non-smoker. This exact strategy is the step before Clear’s “4-step habit creation”. Call it step .5. But it is critical if you want to change your habits. If you want to become an avid reader, you should try to think of a person who reads a lot. Every so often quickly think you myself, “What would a person who reads a lot do right now”. That person would probably turn off the TV and pick up a book and he might bring the book on the bus on his way to work. If you keep trying to put yourself in the shoes of the person you want to become, you will eventually take over that identity.

I have tried to implement this change in identity, into my life. I am only 21 and still don’t know exactly where my life is headed or my goals. Therefore, I found it difficult to pinpoint what identity I wanted to strive for. What I know is I want to become something extraordinary, whatever the discipline might be. It could be physical, reading prowess, knowledge, business or something completely else. The initial identity I am going to be striving for is “A person on the trajectory to success”. Individuals who have achieved success in their life in one way or another, have a few things in common. They all share passion, discipline and hard work. Therefore, I will from now on try to put myself in the shoes of “A person on the trajectory to success”. Next time I will discuss the specific steps I am implementing from Atomic Habits.

Here is my review of Atomic Habits

And here is also a link to buy Atomic Habits Here

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill