Identity-Based Habits: How to Actually Stick to Your Goals
Stop focusing on what you want to achieve and start focusing on who you want to become. The secret to lasting change is identity.
Why is it so easy to repeat bad habits and so hard to form good ones?
Few things can have a more powerful impact on your life than improving your daily habits. And yet, it is likely that this time next year you'll be doing the same thing rather than something better.
Here's why:
Changing our habits is challenging for two reasons: (1) we try to change the wrong thing and (2) we try to change our habits in the wrong way.
In this article, I want to discuss the first mistake.
To understand what I mean, consider that there are three layers of behavior change: a change in your outcomes, a change in your processes, or a change in your identity.
The Three Layers of Behavior Change
Think of behavior change as having three concentric layers, like an onion:
1. Outcomes (Outer Layer)
This level is concerned with changing your results: losing weight, publishing a book, winning a championship.
Most of the goals you set are associated with this level of change.
2. Process (Middle Layer)
This level is concerned with changing your habits and systems: implementing a new routine at the gym, decluttering your desk for better workflow, developing a meditation practice.
Most of the habits you build are associated with this level.
3. Identity (Core Layer)
This level is concerned with changing your beliefs: your worldview, your self-image, your judgments about yourself and others.
Most of the beliefs, assumptions, and biases you hold are associated with this level.
The Problem: Outcome-Based Habits
Many people begin the process of changing their habits by focusing on what they want to achieve.
This leads to outcome-based habits.
The alternative? Build identity-based habits. With this approach, we start by focusing on who we want to become.
The Cigarette Example
Imagine two people resisting a cigarette.
When offered a smoke, the first person says, "No thanks. I'm trying to quit."
It sounds like a reasonable response, but this person still believes they are a smoker who is trying to be something else. They are hoping their behavior will change while carrying around the same beliefs.
The second person declines by saying, "No thanks. I'm not a smoker."
It's a small difference, but this statement signals a shift in identity.
Smoking was part of their former life, not their current one. They no longer identify as someone who smokes.
The goal is not to quit smoking. The goal is to become a non-smoker.
How WizardHabits Reinforces Identity
In WizardHabits, you aren't just "using an app."
You are a Wizard.
This isn't just clever branding. It's intentional identity reinforcement.
Your Wizard is Your Identity
When you open WizardHabits, you see your wizard character on the profile page.
This isn't a random avatar—it's a visual representation of who you're becoming.
- A Novice who's just starting their journey
- An Apprentice who's building momentum
- An Adept who shows up consistently
- A Master Wizard who has discipline down to a science
- A Grand Master who has achieved mastery
Your wizard's appearance changes as you level up. The robes get richer. The staff glows brighter. The aura intensifies. The particles multiply.
Every time you see your wizard, you're reinforcing the identity: "I am someone who builds habits. I am disciplined. I am consistent."
Gender Customization Matters
You can choose between a Wizard (male) or Sorceress (female) in your profile settings.
This isn't just about representation—it's about personalization. Your character should reflect you so the identity connection is stronger.
When you see yourself in the character, the transformation feels more real.
The Power of Titles
As you progress through the levels, you earn titles:
- Novice
- Apprentice
- Adept
- Wizard / Sorceress
- Master Wizard / Master Sorceress
- Grand Master
These aren't just labels—they're identities.
When you think of yourself as a "Grand Master," you act like one. You don't skip habits. You don't break streaks. You show up because that's what Grand Masters do.
The Two-Step Process to Changing Your Identity
Here's how to make this practical:
Step 1: Decide the type of person you want to be
Ask yourself: "Who is the type of person that could get the outcome I want?"
- Who is the type of person that could lose 40 pounds? → A healthy person.
- Who is the type of person that could write a book? → A consistent writer.
- Who is the type of person that could build a successful business? → A disciplined entrepreneur.
- Who is the type of person that could reach Grand Master in WizardHabits? → Someone who never misses twice.
Step 2: Prove it to yourself with small wins
Then, use your habits to cast votes for that identity.
- Every time you go to the gym, you cast a vote for "I am a healthy person."
- Every time you write a page, you cast a vote for "I am a writer."
- Every time you log a habit in WizardHabits, you cast a vote for "I am a master of consistency."
Each action is like raising your hand and saying, "This is the type of person I am."
Your identity emerges out of your habits. Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.
Using WizardHabits to Build Identity-Based Habits
Here's how to apply this framework in WizardHabits:
1. Name Your Habits Around Identity
Instead of:
- "Go to the gym"
Try:
- "Train like an athlete" (reinforces athletic identity)
Instead of:
- "Read"
Try:
- "Study ancient tomes" (reinforces scholarly wizard identity)
The name matters. It reminds you of the identity you're building.
2. Choose Icons That Reflect Your Identity
Our 72+ icon library is organized into 8 categories:
- Fitness (for the athlete identity)
- Health (for the wellness-focused identity)
- Learning (for the lifelong learner identity)
- Creative (for the artist identity)
- Productivity (for the achiever identity)
- Mindful (for the zen master identity)
- Social (for the connected person identity)
- Lifestyle (for the balanced person identity)
Pick icons that align with who you want to become.
3. Track Your "Votes"
Your 21-day grid is a visual tally of your identity votes.
Each filled square is a vote for your new identity. Each streak day is evidence that you ARE this person, not someone trying to become this person.
When you see 30 consecutive days of meditation completed, you don't think "I'm trying to be someone who meditates." You think: "I am a meditator."
4. Use the Insights Heatmap to See Your Transformation
The year-long heatmap in the insights view shows you the full scope of your identity shift.
When you see 200+ completed days glowing in color, you're looking at proof of transformation. That's not someone "trying" to build a habit—that's someone who HAS the habit as part of their identity.
The Feedback Loop
Here's how identity and habits reinforce each other:
Identity → Habits → Identity → Habits
- You adopt an identity: "I am a wizard mastering consistency."
- You complete habits that align with that identity.
- Those completions reinforce the identity: "I AM consistent."
- The stronger identity makes future habits easier.
WizardHabits makes this feedback loop visible:
- Your wizard character evolves (visual proof of identity)
- Your level increases (measurable proof of identity)
- Your streaks grow (behavioral proof of identity)
- Your heatmap fills (historical proof of identity)
Practical Exercise: Define Your Identity
Take 5 minutes right now:
Step 1: Write down 3 outcomes you want to achieve.
Example:
- Lose 20 pounds
- Write a book
- Learn Spanish
Step 2: For each outcome, ask: "What type of person achieves this?"
Example:
- A healthy, active person
- A disciplined writer
- A dedicated language learner
Step 3: For each identity, define ONE habit that person does daily.
Example:
- A healthy person moves their body every day
- A disciplined writer writes every day
- A dedicated learner studies every day
Step 4: Create those habits in WizardHabits right now.
Pick icons, choose colors, set frequencies. Make them specific and actionable.
Then start casting votes for your new identity.
Conclusion
The most effective way to change your habits is not to focus on what you want to achieve, but on who you want to become.
Your habits are not just about getting results.
They are about changing your identity.
And once your identity changes, the habits become easy.
You are not a person trying to build habits. You are a Wizard mastering the art of consistency.
Start your journey today.