Struggling to Change Your Habits? This Might Be Why

We’ve all been there. You decide it’s time to change a habit, only to find yourself right back where you started. You promise yourself that this time will be different, that you'll stick to your new routine, but somehow, the old habits creep back in. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You start to wonder, Why can’t I just stick to my plan? What am I doing wrong? But here’s the thing: changing a habit starts with understanding what a habit really is.

What Is a Habit, Really?

At its core, a habit is just an action repeated over time. Some habits are small, like brushing your teeth or checking your phone first thing in the morning. Others are big, like exercising regularly or smoking. Some barely make a dent in your daily life, while others can transform everything—for better or worse. But regardless of their size or impact, all habits stem from the same place.

Habits are more than just the actions you take—they’re reflections of your identity. Every time you repeat an action, you're reinforcing a certain aspect of who you believe you are. This is why some habits feel so hard to break. They aren't just things you do; they are things you believe about yourself. Over time, these actions become so ingrained that they start to define you, even if you don’t consciously realize it. You might think, This is just how I am. But is it really? Or is it just a habit you’ve let define you?

Why Breaking Habits Is So Hard

This is the reason why you’ve struggled to change habits in the past. If you still see yourself as someone who embodies that habit, you’ll keep doing it. To break free, you have to do more than just change your actions. You need to change the way you see yourself. It’s not enough to just want to break a habit. You have to stop identifying with it. As long as your identity is tied to that habit, any attempt to change will feel like a struggle against yourself.

Think about it this way: If you see yourself as a “late person,” it doesn’t matter how many times you set your alarm earlier. You’ll hit snooze, make excuses, and find ways to justify your lateness because it aligns with how you see yourself. The same goes for any habit, whether it’s related to health, productivity, or personal growth.

The Role of Identity in Habit Change

Surface-level solutions won't cut it for deep-rooted problems. If you truly want to change your habits, you have to shift your identity. This means redefining who you are and what you stand for. You need to become the kind of person who values yourself and your time so much that you are repulsed by anything that drags you down or wastes your potential. When you start to see yourself as a disciplined, focused, and capable individual, your actions will naturally follow suit.

It’s not about forcing yourself to do something you hate. It’s about becoming someone who loves the kind of actions that lead to the results you want. If you want to be healthier, don’t just force yourself to eat salads. Become someone who values their health, who sees healthy eating as a natural and enjoyable part of life. If you want to be more productive, don’t just push through work. Become someone who values their work, who finds meaning and satisfaction in what they do.

Making the Shift

So, how do you make this shift? It starts with self-awareness. Pay attention to the thoughts and beliefs you hold about yourself. Notice how they influence your actions. Ask yourself, What kind of person do I want to be? and What kind of person do my current habits suggest I am? There may be a disconnect between the two, and that's where the work begins.

Start small.

Focus on building one new habit that aligns with the identity you want to create. Maybe it's something simple, like going to bed 30 minutes earlier each night or drinking more water. Each time you act in alignment with your new identity, you reinforce it. Over time, these small actions accumulate, and you start to see yourself differently.

The Power of Consistency

Remember, consistency is key. Changing your identity isn’t about making one big change overnight. It’s about small, consistent actions that gradually reshape who you are. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress. Every time you choose a new, positive habit over an old, negative one, you’re making a statement about the kind of person you want to be.

By making this shift, you can start eliminating the habits that hold you back and replace them with ones that propel you forward. Habits that align with your goals, your business, and your mission. And before you know it, the old habits that once seemed impossible to break will become a distant memory.

Take Action Now

If you’re ready to take both yourself and your business to new heights in just 90 days, start by changing the way you see yourself. Shift your identity, and your habits will follow.

Shoot me a DM and let’s make those changes together. Let’s build the habits that lead to success and leave the old ones behind.

Your Journey to Becoming Your Best Self Starts Now.