Humans tend to stay consistent with how they define themselves. If we say “I'm shy” or “I'm conservative” so I can't do xyz then we are telling ourselves a story over and over again until it's true. Behaviors that do not align with the identity are hard to perform consistently.

Our identity (how we see and define ourselves) defines the scope of our behaviors which then serve as proof of the identity creating a reinforcing loop.

Connections

2D1. To change you must change identity to change behavior.

2D3. Tony Robbins offers one model for six human needs.