UPBUILDING THE SELF

Atomic Habits and Using Identities to Help Us With Our Habits

Atomic Habits has become one of the bibles of habit formation. One of the key ideas from that book is how to use an identity (e.g., I’m a runner) to positively influence our habits (i.e., to run consistently). However, at Upbuild, we talk a lot about how identities get in the way of being our best selves. In this episode, Michael, Hari Prasada, and Vipin explore how to reconcile these two ideas. While weaving in personal tales and anecdotes from their own lives, they discuss the potency of using identity to become the type of person we want to become, but address what we need to look out for so that we don’t overly identify with something that we are not.

Podcast Hosts: Michael, Hari Prasada and Vipin

Highlights

  • [1:10] James Clear’s Atomic Habits

  • [2:30] Identity-based habits

  • [11:30] The need for a drive for something greater

  • [15:00] The example of becoming a runner

  • [16:20] Michael’s new intentional identities

  • [20:30] The trap of a spiritual identity

  • [22:20] Potential egoistic motivations behind our identities

  • [26:00] The example of Hari becoming a vegetarian

  • [34:10] The ego as a house of a cards

  • [40:30] The delicate balance of identifying with our identities

  • [42:00] Sacinandana Swami’s advice to Michael

  • [47:00] Closing takeaways

Quotes

  • “The ego is defined by ‘I am the controller and I am the enjoyer.’” -Hari Prasada

  • “[When you start thinking that] people should be like me…that’s a good warning sign that the ego has kicked in.” -Michael

  • “We’re trying to celebrate [our new identities] from a completely different place [a place that has nothing to do with our egos]” -Hari Prasada

For first timers, welcome to Upbuilding the Self

About the podcast: Two former monks, a former startup founder and CEO, and a former equity derivatives trader dive into how to be our best selves, free from the ego. Our egos are the identities we create for ourselves and wish the world to validate, but when we are not seen as we want to be, we feel insecure. This podcast lives at the intersection of leadership and spirituality. It will help you understand your ego and shed light on your inner world so that you can act with greater clarity, compassion, and the freedom to be your best self.