I have to say it has been quite a week, as a coach one of the biggest honours is walking alongside people as they connect to the best version of themselves and boy have people been showing up for themselves this week. All of the celebrations have got me thinking about a book I was introduced to by my coach Bronwyn Tutty (one of the most wonderful humans I know check her out) called Atomic Habits by James Clear. The book talks about how we see success as the end point but what we don’t see are the small consistent steps people take in order to get there. James Clear calls these small consistent actions our habits, and over time he describes our life bending in the direction of our habits. Of course we want to celebrate the big wins, but I am here to celebrate the consistent steps people have taken, day in, day out, showing up for themselves, challenging old patterns, looking to be just 1% better, that are the real foundations for the big changes. Rather than focusing building our habits on a future goal where we can feel ‘not enough’ as we work towards it, we think about who are choosing to be – identity based habits – with our consistent action each day reinforcing our chosen identity (and just let go of the story it would need to be perfect - he talks about casting votes for the identity we choose through our habits NOT winning 100% majority!) In a conversation yesterday I spoke to wonderful person who wanted to take some courageous action. We connected to what success looked like to them, to who they wanted to be. We reframed courage – not as the big shiny show stopping action – but as the consistent, daily action of connecting to their own values, letting go of the burden of other people’s judgments and connecting to what makes them happy. They saw how already in their life they were showing up courageously, taking brave and vulnerable action. Identifying as a person who is already taking action, to be courageous, healthy, present with family (insert your chosen identity) can give you the anchor you need to help you make decisions every day… asking the question what would a courageous/ heathy/ present person choose now?... How are your habits supporting the person you are choosing to become? What could you change by just 1% today? I have created a worksheet summarising the key tips from James Clear’s work to support new habits – get in touch and I will send you a copy. x
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