Linking Habits with Identity to Improve Productivity

When life gets complicated with sudden changes and competing demands, it’s easy for our productivity to slide. One way to improve productivity is to change our habits so they become more effective. 

There is no one right way to develop better habits. Here are a few ideas.

Habit tracking for long term gain 

When you are striving for a big long term goal, it helps to measure progress along the way.

Fitbits are an easy way of measuring how many steps you take each day to get fitter for a multi-day hike.  

I am embarking on an ambitious project to write a book. Setting a daily word count, and measuring progress each day, is a visual reminder of progress towards my goal.

Align your identity with desired change

If we want to change unproductive habits, we have to dig deeper and change our identities.

These days my body does not tolerate alcohol so well. I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. However, during stressful times, I tend to drink more which leads to poor sleep patterns, less energy during the day and (you guessed it) lower productivity.

So what is the solution? Stopping drinking altogether is not very appealing.  

I had a lightbulb moment reading James Clear’s book*. He reminds us that behavioural change happens when we shift our identity to be consistent with the desired changes. 

Decide the kind of person you want to be and how that person would behave.  

So I decided my new identity is to be a ‘light drinker’. How would that person behave? 

One glass of wine daily with an evening meal is my version of what a light drinker does. I’m sleeping better, my energy levels have improved and I'm more productive during the day. 

That keeps me motivated to achieve my daily word count for writing the rough draft of my book, and I feel better about myself.

When life gets in the way

What happens when there is an emergency, or another stressful period, and we lose our way? We’re not perfect all the time.

This is when I remind myself why I chose to be a light drinker in the first place, and aim to get back on track quickly (the next day, if possible). 

I’d be interested to hear your tips for changing habits and improving productivity. 

* Adapted from ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear