If the word "affirmations" makes you want to close this email and roll your eyes, stay with me. My clients tend to be skeptics, because well…I tend to be a skeptic.
But when I committed to my one year of radical transformation, I did all of the experiments as a skeptic…annnnd they were still helpful.
(Btw, this is week 11/12 of the Habit Quick Win Summer Series. If you missed the first 10 weeks, (You can catch up on the rest here). We’re almost there. Let's go.)
YOUR QUICK WIN THIS WEEK
This week you're going to write what I call first-person goals. You don’t have to say them in a mirror. Just... write them down.
Here are some examples.
"I take care of my body."
"I follow through."
"I am at ease in social situations.”
Write three to five. Present tense. First person. Like they're already true... even if they’re not.
WHY IT ACTUALLY MATTERS
Here's why skeptics actually do this one: you don't have to believe it for it to work.
Writing a statement about yourself in the present tense activates the reticular activating system... the part of your brain that acts as a filter for what you notice in the world. Think of it like a search engine. Whatever you program it to look for, it finds.
You've experienced this before. The moment you decide to buy a red car, suddenly red cars are everywhere. They were always there. You just gave your brain a reason to flag them.
First person goals work the same way. Write "I am someone who follows through" and your reticular activating system quietly starts surfacing every moment you follow through as evidence. A missed moment that used to disappear into the noise now registers. It counts. It compounds.
You're not convincing yourself of something false. You're programming your filter.
With enough reps and evidence, you can actually change the default of your self-concept.
I should note that I have actually seen this work. Here are some of my old defaults and new defaults from my keynote.
YOUR MINDSET SCRIPT
"I don't have to feel it yet. I just have to write it. My brain will spend the rest of the day looking for proof that it's true."
BONUS: JOURNAL PROMPT
Who are you becoming? Not who you think you should be... who are you actually in the process of becoming right now? Write three "I am someone who..." statements about that person. Then ask: what is one small thing they would do today?
That's your Monday experiment: report back!
xoxo,
Katie Day, your habit hype girl
(write back soon)
We did a daytrip from Gulf Shores, AL to see Seaside FL, where they shot The Truman Show. one of my little bucket list sites. I always loved that movie. It really does feel like you are walking around a movie set. Wait. Maybe I should go see actual famous hollywood movie sets! That'd be fun. (adds to bucket list)
Coming up: Tomorrow! Tues, Aug 11! Zoom live with me! August's Monthly Pep Rally and Group Coaching with me, your habit hype girl. 12 noon CST til however long you want to geek out with me about habits and motivation. Come late, leave early. Whatever you need! August's Monthly Theme: Set up Shop! Getting out spaces ready for back to school!
Join now and you’ll get instant access to my habits masterclass on EXACTLY how I build my systems, the full community, monthly live Pep Rallies + Q&As (re: live zoom calls with ME!), and fun, mini challenges.
If you’re ready to feel lighter, follow through more, and finally build habits that run on autopilot… this is your place.
Join The Habit Lab for $79/year (yes, for the whole year) or pop in for $9.
When life looks good on paper can still feel off. We talk signs of misalignment (burnout, resentment, procrastination), how to clarify your core values, and how to realign without blowing up your life.
If you’ve been feeling off—this is your check-in. Listen on Apple or Spotify
Free Webinar:The Habits that Stick Workshop This one-hour workshop gives you the tools to stay consistent, increase your energy, and create lasting behavior change that feels easy instead of forced! Watch on demand or listen in your car! Instant access!
"First say to yourself what you would be, and then do what you have to do."
After hitting rock bottom, I've embarked on a radical journey. For one year, I'm taking a break from all cynicsm and trying out some crazy self-improvement experiments (so you don't have to.)