Change starts with identity - who do you want to become this year?

It’s January, and I don’t know about you, but I’ve already seen so many “New Year, New Me” posts. Goals, plans, more things to do… it feels overwhelming.

Before diving into all that, I’ve been asking myself:

Who do I want to become this year?

James Clear, in Atomic Habits, explains that lasting change isn’t just about what you do or achieve - it starts with identity. Who you believe yourself to be shapes your actions, and then, your results.

He talks about three layers of change:

• Identity - who you believe you are (your values, your sense of “this is me”)

• Actions / processes - what you do (habits, choices, systems)

• Outcomes / goals - what you want to achieve (career changes, balance, confidence)

Most of us try to change from the outside in - focusing on goals and actions, and hoping our identity will catch up.

But lasting change works the other way round:

Identity → actions → outcomes

Here’s what that might look like:

• Not “I want to change my career”,

  but “I am becoming someone who values meaningful work.”

• Not “I want better balance”,

  but “I am becoming someone who chooses how to spend my time and energy.”

• Not “I want to be more confident”,

  but “I am becoming someone who backs myself.”

Choosing who you want to become will help guide the decisions and choices you make - and ultimately the direction your year will take.

Happy New Year, I’m cheering you on!

x Melanie