Identity
To improve at anything, first, you must understand your identity. Let me give you a personal example to show you why this is important.
Like most kids in Victoria, I grew up dreaming of playing AFL.
But, I never really believed I was good enough.
When I was 15, I did my first “pre-season”. Later that year, I made a rep squad. Then, another pre-season, this time with the rep squad. Then I got picked for the first practice match. I played a blinder. Killed it.
Someone who knew me but only played with me that day for the first time, said to me on MSN (Messenger) that night (yeh remember MSN); “Where the hell did that come from?”
At that moment, I believed that I could be good enough.
I slowly learned how a professional athlete trained. I ran, stretched, went to the gym, ate better food, and allowed propertime for recovery. Most importantly, I loved it, so it was easy to train hard.
I assumed the identity of an AFL player, my beliefs and actions backed it up.
I trained harder. I played better. I got drafted. I was an AFL player.
Then, the reverse happened.
Fast forward four years and I got delisted. Self-doubt set in. Now, I no longer believed I was good enough and so went back to playing for my old club. Suddenly, training was hard, and I didn’t love any more it, or at least, my heart just wasn’t in it as much. I’d lost my identity and belief.
Almost immediately all of my habits fell a part. I barely ran. I barely went to the gym. I ate whatever.
I didn’t connect the dots until many years when I read James Clear’s book, 'Atomic Habits'. In it, he discusses the three layers of behaviour change.
“Outcomes are about what you get. Processes are about what you do. Identity is about what you believe”
Typically people focus on the outcomes and what they want to achieve. Play AFL. Get an MBA. Financial Independence.
This leads to outcome-based habits. We know the goal and we have the knowledge on what to-do.
However, lack of knowledge is rarely the issue. Instead, our identity and our beliefs are the biggest drivers of our behaviour.
“Behaviour that is incongruent with the self will not last. You may want more money, but if your identity is someone who consumes rather than creates, then you’ll continue to pulled toward spending rather earning”
Admittedly, comparing money to elite sport is not exactly a fair comparison, but not for the reasons you might assume.
Talent or genetics are not a requirement for financial success.
It’s a single player game. You’re not competing against anyone. Anyone can do it. And everyone can win.
To start improving with money you need to assume an identity that matches your goals.
Then, JUST. TAKE. ACTION.
Progress will follow. Belief will develop.
This is a picture of me playing on that day that I suddenly believed I could make it. My dad got the picture framed because he was proud of me just making that rep team.
I’m not sure he really understood the significance of that moment at the time. But then again, neither did I.
