Identity by Habit. Who You Choose to Be

Who are you to you? If you sit silently in a dark room and think about it, what do you come up with? It's a deceptively simple question with a complex answer.

But I'll tell you who I am: I'm a man defined by my habits.

To me, being truly alive means being strong, driven, excited, and happy. It's about going to the gym regularly, lifting weights, and sticking to a routine.

It's about being extremely driven, trying many things, never giving up, focusing on goals, and working tirelessly towards them. It's about pushing against all odds with sheer force and doubling down when faced with challenges.

There's more, but for now, this will do.

These aren't traits I admire; they're the habits that define me. Habits, more than anything else, define who we are to ourselves.

Take my gym routine, for instance. It's not just about building muscle or staying fit. It's about the mental strength I gain from pushing myself, the discipline I cultivate by showing up consistently, and the sense of accomplishment I feel after doing those extra few reps when my everything in me is begging me to stop, but I don't.

This habit doesn't just shape my body; it shapes my character.

The same goes for my drive to try new things and pursue goals relentlessly. This habit of persistence isn't about achieving external success. It's about reinforcing my self-image as someone who doesn't quit, who faces challenges head-on, and constantly evolves.

The power of these habits becomes most apparent when they're disrupted.

If, for whatever reason, I stop lifting weights for two months, I start feeling a great sense of discomfort. Cognitive dissonance sets in. The image I have of myself clashes with my current actions, creating an internal conflict that demands resolution.

This discomfort isn't just about missing the physical activity. It's about losing a crucial source of fuel that powers my day, my week, my life.

You see, habits like these aren't just routines; they're the engines that drive us forward. Lifting weights doesn't just make me healthy; it gives me mental strength for having pushed myself.

Setting and pursuing goals is hardly about the achievements; it's about the exhilarating rush of progress. It's the adrenaline surge that comes from acceleration - seeing movement on all fronts, feeling the momentum build as you push forward relentlessly, especially against all odds. This habit fuels an insatiable hunger for growth and advancement regardless of how impossible it is, constantly propelling me towards new horizons.

In the end, we are what we repeatedly do.

Our habits shape our actions, our actions shape our experiences, and our experiences shape who we become.

So, if you want to know who you are, look at your habits. They're the truest reflection of your identity, the building blocks of your character, and the fuel for your journey through life.

Remember: You are your habits. Choose them wisely, cultivate them diligently, and let them define the best version of yourself.