Small actions change your self-identity

Small actions change your self-identity(ˌīˈden(t)ədē)

By Derek Sivers

When we think about what’s worth doing, we usually think of big things.

But when you hear the stories of how people got successful, they usually start with one little action:

Saying yes when someone asked for volunteers(ˌvälənˈtir)
Approaching(əˈprōCH) a celebrity(səˈlebrədē)
Reading one book or taking one course

That one little action changes how you think about yourself.

Having taken that one step, you start to think of yourself as brave(brāv), or an achiever(əˈCHēvər), or a bit(bit) of an expert(ˈekˌspərt) on a subject.

You do just one thing that makes you feel generous(ˈjenərəs), so you start to act generous, so you become generous.

You do just one thing that makes you feel like a leader(ˈlēdər), so you start to act like a leader, so you become a leader.

The world treats(trēt) you as you treat yourself. Your actions show the world who you are.

You won’t act differently until you think of yourself differently. So start by taking one small action that will change your self-identity.

https://sivers.org/actid