The first mistake in trying to change habits is trying to change the wrong thing. There are three levels at which changes occur. The first is the outcomes. The second is changing the process (habits and systems). Most habits are at this level. The third and deepest level at which changes to daily habits occur is changes to your identity: changes to your beliefs, world view, self-image, judgements. To build habits that last, the problem is not that one level is better or worse. The direction of change is the problem. Start by focusing on who you wish to become rather than outcomes.

Behind every system of actions is a system of beliefs. There are a set of beliefs and assumptions behind the system. Behaviors that are inconsistent with the identity will not last. It is hard to change your habits without changing the underlying beliefs. The ultimate form of intrinsic motivation to perform a behavior or habit is when it is a part of your identity. Pride in an aspect of your identity will help you maintain habits related to that aspect. True habit change is a result of identity change. Improvements are only temporary until they become part of who you are. To say that the goal is to be a reader rather than read a book is an example of how habit changes are related to identity. When a person believes in an aspect of their identity, they will act in alignment with the belief.

Identity change can also work against you: your allegiance to it may make it difficult to change your habits. "I'm not a morning person. I'm bad at math. I'm bad at using technology. I'm bad at remembering names." You might resist taking steps forward if it would be against your identity. In some cases, the biggest barrier to positive change can be conflicts with the identity. It will be difficult to create good habits if they conflict with your identity. You must continuously change your beliefs to upgrade and expand your identity--do not get too attached to one version.

Some aspects of your identity do not change over time, like your height, but the way you think about your height can change over time. Habits are important in the formation of your identity simply because repeating a behavior over and over provides a lot of evidence for what it is.

Your habits are not the only thing that influence your identity. They are just one of the most important things that do. Repeated actions accumulate evidence which changes your self image. One off experience can have an effect but it will not be as prolonged. So, building happens is the same process as changing yourself or becoming a different person. We continually are undergoing microevolutions of the self. Habits are suggestions of who you are: every action you take is a vote for the type of person you become.

Meaningful change does not require radical change. A few good small habits are still a meaningful change because they give evidence to change your identity. The most practical way to change who you are is to change what you do. When you work out, you are an athlete. When you encourage others, you are a leader. When the evidence begins to change, the story you tell yourself will also change. Every time you perform a bad habit, it is a vote for a worse version of yourself. But it is okay for a few votes go to the bad outcome. An election does not require every vote to go one way to win.

The two-step process to change your identity: decide the type of person you want to be, and then prove it to yourself with small wins. What are your principles and values and who do you wish to become? It is easier to think about the results you want. Work backward from the results you want to the type of person who could get the outcome that you want. "What would a healthy person do?" may be a question that if you ask yourself throughout the day, you will lose weight.

There is a feedback loop between habits and identity--let your values, principles, and identity drive the loop.

Identity change is the north start of habit change. The first step is who. You need to know who you want to be. You have the power to change your beliefs about yourself. Choose the identity you want to reinforce today with the habits that you choose today. Building better habits is fundamentally about becoming someone. Habits matter because they help you become the person you want to be. You become your habits.

The most effective way to change your habits is to focus on your desired identity and then cast votes for it. To become the best version of yourself, you must continuously edit your beliefs and upgrade and expand your identity. Habits can change your beliefs about yourself. The habits are like votes for the person you become.