3 Layers of Behavior Change
When you need a change or you want to reach your goal, use these 3 layers. The deepest behavior change is identity change. The layer after that is system change. The layer on the surface is outcome change. Usually, it is easier to measure change through outcome change because you can see the change and it is measured through numbers. Example: You look leaner because you lose 40 pounds of weight.
The system change is usually represented by numbers, but the numbers of frequency/ consistency. Example: 3 times a week working out in the gym. Now for identity change, this is intangible, but the true change is identity change because you already believed that you are the identity you want. I am sure you will keep doing what you believed because it will be so much easier to maintain. Example : You wanted to be a writer. What are traits of a writer that is desirable? Creative and consistent.
After you know your identity based change, you can scale up to system based and outcome based change.
If we continue the last example, let say you can scale up by implementing steps to be creative and consistent (system based change). After that you launch your own blog, and work RELENTLESSLY for it 6 years. Boom, somehow someway you earn a lot of money, let say 5,000 US dollars a month, after 6 years of consistent hard work (outcome change). But, you still continue writing because you already believe that you are writer even before you got a lot of money out of it. Because true behavior change is an identity change.
Even, when you only know what outcome change you want, you can scale it down to both system change and identity change. Why? In order for you to keep casting votes on who you want and keep doing what you choose to do consistently. Then and only then the outcome will come in its own terms.
This is coming from a fan of Atomic Habits. James Clear, thank you so much for your book, your insights when you are a guest speaker in my favorite podcast, and your newsletter. I am deeply and consistently inspired to share your content (probably even picking where you left off and make my own book if possible). If necessary, I may continue to share this theory and aligning it with other theory as well.
Leave a respond if you would like to leave constructive criticisms. Clap this post if you agree.
Source:
- Image: James Clear’s blog
- Atomic Habits Chapter 2: How Your Habits Shape Your Identity (and Vice Versa)
