Who you are becoming is more important than what you want to accomplish.
When it comes to setting goals, most of us start with what – the outcome we desire or results we would like to achive. This year I want to…
- Lose 20 pounds
- Travel to Europe
- Improve my marriage
- Buy a home
- Run a marathon
- Pay off my credit card debt
- Start my master’s degree
According to James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, this is a mistake. He calls these “outcome-based habits.” Outcome-based habits don’t take into consideration your identity and the beliefs that undergird your actions, which means our “old identity can sabotage our new plans for change.” (Atomic Habits, 32)
In the process of setting goals, we sometimes fail to think about who we are becoming.
Furthermore, what happens when you reach the goals? Do you just stop? Is it over now? Did you put in all that hard work for a one-time result?
There’s a better way…
Start with “Who” before “Do”
Rather than starting with the result and working backward, why not start with WHO and work outward?
James Clear calls these “identity-based habits.”
What’s the difference between an identity-based goal and an outcome goal?
Identity-based goals are about what you believe
Outcome goals are based on what you want to do
Identity-based goals are about who you want to be
Outcome goals are about what you want to get
Identity-based goals are about who you want to become
Outcome goals are about what you want to achieve
Let me give you an example. If you have a goal to pay off your credit card debt this year, what happens when you pay it off? Do you simply move on to the next thing and forget about your money?
Instead, what if the goal were to become financially healthy or be an effective money manager?
Do you see the difference? Paying off your debt is a great goal with lasting benefits, but to what end? But becoming a financially healthy person is an identity-based habit that will last a lifetime!
Here’s how identity-based habits work:
- The bullseye is your identity (what you believe, who you want to be or become)
- The middle ring is the systems or processes that will get you there (what you do)
- The outer ring is the result or outcome (what you get or achieve)
Let’s stick with our example of becoming a financially healthy person. The next question might go something like this:
What do I need to do to become a financially healthy person or what do financially healthy people do? You may need to do some research, but here are some ideas. These are the second layer of the circle – your systems or processes. You might say, financially healthy people:
- Spend less than they earn (it’s called a budget)
- Give away 10% or more of their money to things that matter to them
- Save money for big purchases starting with an emergency fund
- Pay off consumer debt
- Invest in long-term goals (college, retirement, etc)
When the goal is identity-based, you create habits that last a lifetime, and you may realize your initial goal (paying off consumer credit) may not be the best place to begin.
More than You Bargained For…
When you start with who you want to be or become rather than what you want to do, you end up with something a whole lot better and longer-lasting. The outer layer of the concentric circle then becomes “I’m a financially healthy person.” And while that certainly involves your original goal of paying off your credit card debt, you get so much more!
Once you’ve come up with your identity-based goal or habit, there are two final questions you need to ask. These will give you the inspiration and motivation you need to persevere. I heard these from Andy Stanley in one of his talks along the way.
- Why is this important?
- What’s at stake if I don’t do it?
This answers the “why” question which deals with your purpose and becomes the motivation for the person you want to become. In the words of Andy Stanley,
“Who you want to be is always more important than what you want to do.”
Back to the Drawing Board
It’s time to go back to the drawing board and redefine your goals according to who you want to be or become.
Choose ONE of your yearly or quarterly goals and reconfigure it to be identity-based instead of outcome-based.
I believe this one thing alone will push you over the top when it comes to being the person you have always longed to be!
Setting Goals You Can Actually Achieve (the series)
- Part 1: Tired of Failed New Year’s Resolutions? Me Too!
- Part 2: ONE THING That Could Change Everything This Year
- Part 4: Four Rhythms to Help You Achieve Your Goals This Year
*Photo by Jason Dent on Unsplash
