Discovering The Hero Within: The Identity Hack
“Life isn’t about discovering yourself. It’s about creating yourself.”
We are here because we enjoy some form of roleplaying game. These games take many forms from gathering around the table with a group of friends in Dungeons and Dragons or sitting down solo to become the Dragonborn in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Role playing games are fun because they allow us to assume another identity. It frees us to act according to their perspective, their ideals, and even their flaws rather than be bound by our own. It lends a certain clarity and confidence to the actions we take as our character despite the fact that our own lives are very different from those we play.
We can predict behavior based upon an individual’s values and goals. It’s what allows Dave the accountant to assume the role of Cormac the Unbroken, a fearless barbarian warrior, without being a barbarian himself.
So what does roleplaying have to do with leading a healthier life?
Well, role playing refers to the act of changing one’s behavior to fit that of a certain role or person. If* Dave the accountant* is capable of behaving as a barbarian hero in DnD then you can also assume the identity and behaviors of a healthier, happier you.
It’s been established that we as humans act and behave according to our identity. This happens on both a conscious and unconscious level.
So what if we forge an identity that guides us towards our goals?
You can ‘roleplay’ as someone you aspire to be. This makes it easier to make those good choices.
This concept has guided people’s behavior for a long time - it’s the proverbial “What would Jesus do?” thought process. Except in this case it’s more like “Is this what someone who values their health would do?” What I’m talking about is something that behavior change experts refer to as developing “identity-based habits.” With these habits you use identity as a frame to drive behavior. You do this by linking your beliefs and values to the goal you aim to achieve.
In other words: you become someone who performs the habits that lead to your goal.
Many start this journey of healthy living with a vague statement like “I want to exercise more often.” The challenge with this statement is that it doesn’t necessarily confirm your commitment to this goal nor does it challenge some of your predisposition to weakness. You certainly can exercise more often with a goal statement like that but you can be easily convinced to skip a workout if you run into an obstacle.
The last statement provides very little guidance on your behavior. nCompare this instead to an identity statement like “I am someone who exercises every day.” This identity provides a whole new framework of thinking. When challenged to skip exercise you’ll have to deal with an identity crisis. “No I can’t skip this workout, I am someone who exercises daily.”
This thought process helps you build momentum towards your goal by making it much more intrinsic. The day-to-day task becomes both easier and far more important because you identify the goal with your own being.
Establishing an identity is not enough to revolutionize your behavior. We all know those people in roleplaying games who assign their character a flaw or personality trait but never actually ACT on it. The character never really stands alone as a result.
Identity does not become concrete until you ‘confirm’ it with action. In the above example maybe you truly are faced with a situation where you are unable to complete a full workout. You can still confirm your identity and maintain your momentum by performing your “identity habit” in a small way. This could be as simple as doing a few push-ups before work or doing some squats on break.
It allows you to mentally “check the box” that you are still someone who exercises daily. You will be surprised how great you’ll feel when you achieve these “tiny wins.” It is confirming your new identity.
It’s basically like collecting an inspiration point in DnD by roleplaying your character well. The more you prove this new identity to yourself the more natural your new lifestyle feels. This is one really effective strategy for you to create new behaviors that lead to a better life. This can apply to fitness, diet, finances, relationships, you name it.
There is a lot of power in changing the way we think about ourselves. It doesn’t need to be any more difficult than roleplaying in a game you enjoy.
If you’ve read this far, I challenge you to take some time to consider an ‘identity’ and an identity-linked habit that would lead you to your goals.
Make it simple to start.
Think of one thing you’d like to change, like the exercise example above, and consider a daily habit to align with that. Repeat it to yourself:
“I am someone who _____’s. I prove this by doing ____ each day.”
You should also consider those days where you’ll be challenged to skip out on your habit. What’s a small way you could still complete it even if not in the full sense as confirmation of your new identity?
Dr. Collin Christensen
Check out this great video by my partner Dr. Sal about this very topic!