I recently got back from a solo camping trip in Rocky Mountain National Park, and upon returning I noticed something interesting.
To set the scene, I’m a very habitual person. I have a lot of routines that I follow, and I follow them very consistently.
But when I got home after a week of camping, I had quite a few moments where I forgot steps in some of my routines.
I’m talking about things like getting ready for bed. Normally the routine is automatic. I don’t think about it at all. But this time I was second guessing what I normally do next.
It made me realize just how quickly our new habits can go away when we miss a day or two (or seven).
Streaks of good eating and consistent exercise can easily be broken with an unintentional missed planned meal or workout. And then everything comes unraveled.
As for me, I quickly fell back into my usual habits, and I realized that creating habits isn’t just about repetition.
I’m sure you’ve heard the advice that a new habit is formed after xx number of days. Well… of course repetition is required. But that’s not enough.
Habits stay fragile if repetition is the only tool. It makes you susceptible to being derailed from a single off day or week.
The key to making habits feel magnetic to you is your identity.
Your identity forms the foundation of your habits. It is your default operating system.
Your behaviors will always gravitate to WHO you are, as opposed to WHAT you do.
When your who and what are out of alignment, self-sabotage is the consequence.
Remember… your identity is the sum of your beliefs. If you want to cultivate an identity that pulls healthy habits towards you, then you need to assess and address the beliefs that make you who you are.
Layer repetitive behaviors on top of an identity that’s in alignment with them, and healthy habits feel easy and effortless.
You won’t need willpower to keep the streak going. The behaviors will naturally start coming to you.
Talk soon…