The Multitasking Trap (Part IV): The Power of Building Intentional Habits

Part I focused on How Overloading Ourselves Fuels Imposter Syndrome.

Part II focused on how goal setting, when done well, can help counteract the multitasking that leads to imposter syndrome.

Part III provided a few strategies and options for setting goals as the sun sets on 2024. There are a lot of goal setting "systems" out there. I shared a few of my favorites.

In Part IV of the Multitasking Trap, I come full circle and examine the hows and whys of habit formation as a way to close the loop on managing our time, attention and goals with the intention of making imposter syndrome a distant memory.

You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. - Zig Zigler

The whisper of self-doubt that plagues even the most accomplished professionals has a name: impostor syndrome. But what if the key to silencing this inner critic lies in the quiet power of daily habits? Intentional habit formation can transform impostor syndrome from a constant companion into a distant memory.

In today's edition of Unleash Your Audacity we will explore:

• The connection between habits and imposter syndrome.
• Why habits matter more than motivation.
• A framework for building anti-IS habits.
• 4 tactics to habit formation.

The Connection Between Habits and Impostor Syndrome

Impostor syndrome thrives in the space between our actions and our self-perception. It flourishes in moments of uncertainty and feeds on our tendency to attribute success to luck rather than competence. Habits, however, create undeniable evidence of our capabilities through consistent, measurable actions.

Why Habits Matter More Than Motivation

Habits operate automatically, while motivation fluctuates daily based on mood, energy, and circumstances. When you've completed a task hundreds of times through habitual action, it becomes harder to question your competence. When something is a habit, you do it regardless of whether you "feel like it."

Habits require minimal mental energy because they're automated behaviors. Motivation demands constant willpower, which is a finite resource that gets depleted.

Small habits, performed consistently over time, lead to dramatic results. As James Clear notes in Atomic Habits, improvements of just 1% each day compound to nearly 37x improvement over a year. Another way to think about it is your savings account. If you are consistent with saving a few dollars per week, the account adds up in significant ways.

When times get tough, habits keep you going. Motivation often fails precisely when you need it most - during stress, fatigue, or setbacks.

Habits gradually reshape your self-identity. For example, going for a run every morning eventually transforms you into "a runner," making the behavior more likely to stick.

A Framework for Building Anti-Impostor Habits

1. Start with Identity-Based Habits that focus on who you're becoming rather than what you're achieving. This subtle shift undermines impostor syndrome's grip on your self-image.?Proactive language can be a helpful strategy, for example:

Yesterday: "I need to work harder to prove I belong here."

Today: "I am becoming the kind of person who consistently delivers value."

2. Keep a record of accomplishments as you develop habits that generate tangible proof of your competence. Daily work journaling, weekly accomplishment tracking, monthly skill audits and quarterly reflection sessions are all techniques you can implement. Essentially, write it all down! (See Part III of the Multitasking Trap for more information on this approach. )

These habits create an undeniable record of your growth and impact.

3. Implement the Stack Method. The habit stacking method was made popular by BJ Fogg, PhD in his book Tiny Habits. Layer new confidence-building habits onto existing routines. Keep them small and specific. For example, habit stacking that worked for me include:

• After I put on my pajamas, I take out tomorrow's gym clothes.
• After I turn my car on, I meditate for 5 minutes before leaving my driveway.
• When I open my gmail, I unsubscribe from one recurring newsletter that I no longer pay attention to.

The reason habit stacking works so well is that your current habits are already built into your brain. You have patterns and behaviors that have been strengthened over years. By linking your new habits to a cycle that is already built into your brain, you make it more likely that you’ll stick to the new behavior. - James Clear, Atomic Habits

Four Tactics to Habit Formation

Not very different from goal setting, habit formation has to be more specific than we normally account for. To form habits they must be obvious, attractive, easy and satisfying. Do your current "bad" habits fall into these categories? Probably! So now, apply this to the new, better habit you want to form.

1. Make It Obvious.

• ?? ?Position success evidence where you'll see it daily.
• ?? ?Create visual cues for confidence-building routines.
• ?? ?Set regular reminders to acknowledge achievements.

2. Make It Attractive.

• ?? ?Pair confidence-building habits with activities you enjoy.
• ?? ?Create a reward system for maintaining habits.
• Build a community that celebrates growth and learning.?

3. Make It Easy.

• ?? ?Break down complex skills into daily micro-practices.
• ?? ?Remove obvious barriers.
• Design your environment to support professional growth.

4. Make It Satisfying.

• ?? ?Track your progress visually.
• ?? ?Share your journey with mentors or peers.
• ?? ?Celebrate small wins consistently.

Impostor syndrome may lose its power when confronted with the overwhelming evidence of consistent performance. Through intentional habit formation, you create a shield against self-doubt, and a foundation for sustained confidence. The key lies in building a daily practice that makes it increasingly difficult for doubt to find a foothold in your identity.

Remember: Every habit you build is a brick in the wall between you and impostor syndrome. Start small, build consistently, and watch as your confidence becomes as natural as breathing.

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