Short lesson: Be → Do → Have (life on easy mode)
You ever heard of Be → Do → Have?
Be the type of person, so you can do the thing, and then you’ll have the result.
We get it twisted and think it’s Have → Do → Be.
- “Once I have more money, then I will save and invest it, so I can be wealthy.”
- “Once I lose some weight, then I will go to the gym, since I will be more fit.”
- “Once I have more time, then I will travel, and be more adventurous.”
It’s a broken way of thinking, and it leaves us unhappy with our results.
Everything is out of our reach when we approach life in this way.
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits taught me:
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If you’re looking to make a change, then I say stop worrying about results and start worrying about your identity. Become the type of person who can achieve the things you want to achieve. Build identity-based habits now. The results can come later.
— James Clear
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So how do we make the change? How do we update our identity?
There are 3 options we have when making changes:
A change in our outcomes, a change in our processes, or a change in our identity.
Option one: Change our outcomes.
This is the HAVE in Be → Do → Have.
It’s about our results: making more money, getting in better shape, and doing more cool things in our life.
We tend to set our goals, and get stuck focusing on this option.
Option two: Change our process.
This is the DO in Be → Do → Have.
It’s about our habits (behaviors) and systems (approach): working out each day, tracking our finances, and meditating to stay grounded.
We tend to build our habits, and stall out focusing on this option.
Option three: Change our identity.
This is the BE in Be → Do → Have.
It’s about our beliefs: who we think of ourselves as, how we view the world, and the way we relate to others.
We tend to set and forget this option… leaving us unable to make changes we wish to make.
To summarize, James Clear says:
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Outcomes are about what you get. Processes are about what you do. Identity is about what you believe.
— James Clear
In my opinion each option is necessary, but without focusing on our identity the other two don’t stick.
So, how do you put your life on easy mode?
First ask: “Who is the type of person that could get the outcome I want?”.
That’s who you’ll choose to BE.
Second ask: “What would that type of person do to get the outcome I want?”
That’s what you’ll choose to DO.
Third ask: “What results would that type of person have?”
These are the results you wanted in the first place. What you’ll HAVE.
Then all you need to do is prove it to yourself through the smallest, and easiest wins.
Want more money?
Identity (BE): Become the wealthy person who tracks how much they earn and spend.
Small and easy win (DO): Download an app for your finances. I use copilot (get a month free).
Result (HAVE): You’ll feel more confident and on top of your finances leading you to earning and saving more money.
See how easy this is?
Step by step, and day by day life becomes easy… and you BECOME the person that easily DOES what is needed to HAVE the results and life you want.
