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The Link Between Habits and Our Identity

In this post I will be covering the following aspects:

1. The Link Between Habits and Our Identity

2. The Two-Step Process to Change your Identity

3. Bonus Articles

The Link Between Habits and Our Identity

When we look at the videos of UPSC toppers, we hear their strategy, sources and challenges. What we don't often hear is the habits followed by the toppers to achieve the final outcome.

In the book Atomic Habits, James Clear explains the link between our Habits and our Identity. He explains that it is hard to change our habits if we do not change the underlying beliefs.

While preparing for the exam we unconsciously get into certain beliefs like:

• I am bad at History.

• I generally get tensed a lot in the exam.

• I am never able to finish the paper.

We repeat these beliefs over and over until it actually becomes a part of our Identity. How do we change these beliefs?

First Layer: Changing Your Outcomes (What you get)

• Getting 100+ in Prelims Mocks

• Scoring 100+ in Mains Mocks

Second Layer: Changing Your Processes (What you do)

• Revising your basic books

• Practising at least 30 MCQs daily

• Writing 2 answers daily

Third Layer: Changing Your Identity (What you believe)

• Your judgement about yourself

• Your beliefs, judgements and biases

Many of us focus on the Outcomes. But James Clear suggests that we build Identity-based habits. As we start focusing on who we wish to become, our habits will begin to change.

If you ask yourself, how would a topper spend his day, you get the answer for your daily schedule.

The Two-Step Process to Change Your Identity

1. Decide on the person you want to be.

2. Prove it to yourself with small wins.

If you want to be the person who scores very well in History, revise the basics more often. After that take a few sectional tests. Getting a good score here is proof to yourself that you can be good at History.

Once this becomes a part of your identity, you will consider history as your strength. You would make a special note of mistakes you make in history and try to avoid them in the future.

Bonus articles and Links for Reference:

1. Identity-based Habits by James Clear

2. My Quiz Scores for Week #9

3. We are not dictated by our past (Article for Inspiration)

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P.S: I tried to summarize 6-7 pages into 300 words. I think you might not be able to completely appreciate the link between your identity and habits through this summary. I would suggest that you do check out the original article by James Clear. I might re-attempt this article sometime later.