As summer fades into fall, many of us are stepping into new transitions—fresh school routines, changing work rhythms, and busier schedules. This is often the season when we feel the pull to get back on track, set goals, and create structure. But here’s a powerful shift: instead of asking What do I want to achieve? start with Who do I want to become?
This is the heart of identity-based habits, a concept from James Clear’s Atomic Habits. While goals focus on outcomes (“I want to lose 10 pounds”), identity-based habits focus on the kind of person you believe yourself to be (“I am a healthy, active person”). When your habits are built on identity, change becomes more natural, more sustainable, and more life-giving.
Why This Matters Right Now
This fall, many of us are stepping into transitions—new schedules, school routines, work rhythms. It’s the perfect moment to pause and ask:
👉 Who do I want to become in this season?
For me, the answer is clear: I want to be functionally fit and healthy. Not for the sake of checking off a goal or hitting a number on the scale, but so I can enjoy my life and my loved ones well.
That identity shapes my habits. Each time I choose to move my body, prep a nourishing meal, or get enough sleep, I’m casting a vote for being that healthy, active woman. And over time, those votes add up.
Your identity doesn’t have to be complicated. It might be as simple as:
- I am a woman who makes time for her well-being.
- I am someone who chooses peace over hurry.
- I am a person who follows through on small promises to myself.
These statements shape the lens through which you live—and your habits will naturally align.
The Two-Step Process
James Clear suggests this simple but profound two-step process:
- Decide the type of person you want to be.
Who is that future version of yourself you want to step into? Write it down. Speak it out loud. Claim it. - Prove it to yourself with small wins.
Each time you act in alignment with that identity, you reinforce it. These “votes” don’t have to be big. If you want to be a reader, read one page. If you want to be healthy, take a short walk. If you want to be organized, clear one drawer. Small wins compound.
Questions to Guide You
To help you begin, here are a few reflection prompts:
- Who do I want to become in this next season?
- What identity am I ready to release, and what new identity am I ready to embrace?
- What small daily action can I take to cast a vote for this identity?
Bringing It Together
The truth is, goals will come and go—but your identity is what lasts. When you shift the question from What do I want to do? to Who do I want to be? you set the foundation for lasting transformation.
This week, try it out. Write down one identity you want to embrace, and then choose one small habit that casts a daily vote for that identity. Over time, you’ll notice the shift—not just in your actions, but in the way you see yourself.
Because lasting change doesn’t start with what you do—it starts with who you believe you are.
-Laura