Earning different outcomes requires a different identity. Here is how to do it.
Atomic Habits Two-Step Process to Change Your Identity
Want different career outcomes? Change your identity. Use this two-step process from Atomic Habits.
Changing your identity might sound daunting, but James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” simplifies it into a powerful two-step process:
Step 1: Decide the type of person you want to be. It starts with a vision.
Whether you want to become a healthier person, a more productive professional, or a better leader, clarity on your desired identity is key.
Envision the outcomes you want, then identify the type of person that earns those.
Step 2: Prove it to yourself with small wins.
Habits are the building blocks of identity.
Each small action, consistently repeated, reinforces your new identity.
Want to be a reader? Start with just one page a day.
Aiming to be a fit person? Commit to a 5-minute workout.
Here is how I used this process to become a coach.
In early 2023, I consciously decided to expand my technology identity as a leadership and performance coach. That was step 1.
Then, over many months, I practiced the habits of a coach. This was step 2.
Role-playing for nine months in a leadership and performance coaching certification
Coaching 100+ graduate students
Coaching several professionals who were seeking transformational change in their careers
Reading books and literature on leadership coaching best practices and strategies
Sharing my coaching ideas through a weekly newsletter
Studying and practicing the behaviors of world-class coaches
Over time, the "coach" identity gradually fused into my identity "portfolio," including my personas as a data & AI strategist and university instructor.
I went from not believing and experiencing the uncomfortable emotions of innovating my identity to embracing a new part of myself.
🧪 There was no silver bullet or magic potion.
Getting what you want requires adopting an identity and then honoring it through behavior and rituals associated with this identity. It’s that simple.
✅ Check out my Inner Quest cohort course if you seek different career outcomes. It includes building a new identity, designing behaviors, and more to take your career to the next level.
The next quest starts on July 15th. 🚀
See the reviews of why the last cohort rated the course 4.8/5.
👉 Check it out and enroll: https://www.coachjamesgray.com/inner-quest/inner-quest-course
♻️ Please share with people in your network who could benefit from this type of experience