#185

There’s no event in your calendar labeled “Brush Teeth – 7 AM.”

No reminders pop up, no alarms buzz.

You don’t block out time for it because you don’t need to.

Brushing your teeth isn’t a task; it’s part of you.

It’s woven into the rhythm of your day, automatic and essential.

But have you ever stopped to think about why?

Brushing your teeth isn’t just about good hygiene.

It’s about identity. You’re someone who cares about your health, values cleanliness, and avoids unnecessary trips to the dentist.

Over time, that identity has been reinforced by habit, so much so that brushing your teeth feels less like a decision and more like an extension of who you are.

You don’t question it or negotiate with yourself over whether you have time.

You just do it.

Now imagine if the same were true for other aspects of your life.

What if kindness, patience, generosity, or even taking time for yourself were as automatic as brushing your teeth?

What if those qualities became so ingrained in your identity that you never had to consciously make time for them because they were simply who you are?

So how do we create habits that aren’t just tasks on a to-do list but fundamental parts of who we are? The process starts with a shift in mindset.

Instead of focusing on what you want to do, focus on who you want to become.

For example:

• Instead of saying, “I want to exercise more,” say, “I am someone who values their physical health.”
• Instead of saying, “I want to read more books,” say, “I am someone who loves learning.”
• Instead of saying, “I want to be more patient,” say, “I am a patient person.”
  
  

By framing your goals in terms of identity, you create a deeper connection to them. Every time you act in alignment with that identity, you reinforce it.

Over time, the actions become second nature because they’re no longer something you have to do; they’re something you are.

Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become
James Clear

James Clear - Identity Based Habits

So the next time you brush your teeth, let it remind you of what’s possible.

If something as small as this can become a fundamental part of who you are, imagine what else could, too.

Ask yourself: Who do I want to be?

Then start showing up as that person, one small action at a time.

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Cheers

Pete