How to become unrecognizable in 21 days?
In the 1950s, a plastic surgeon started noticing a strange pattern among his patients.
Maxwell Maltz observed that it took 21 days for his patients to adapt to the changes in their body. Patients with an amputated leg or hand behaved as if they still had the limb for about 21 days, before adjusting to the new situation. It took 21 days for patients with facial changes to get used to seeing their new face. Dr. Maltz noticed a similar pattern of behavioral change for his habits.
It took him about 21 days to form a new habit.
In 1960, he published a book called Psycho-Cybernetics. A quote from the book succinctly summarizes his findings,
These, and many other commonly observed phenomena tend to show that it requires a minimum of about 21 days for an old mental image to dissolve and a new one to jell.
Though the book sold more than 30 million copies, the idea of 21 days did not become so prevalent.
Think of the many times when you have told yourself, “I just cannot change myself.”
“Reading is hard, I don’t know how others read so much.”
“I’m too unfit. However hard I try, I cannot get lean.”
“People started learning the guitar when they were teenagers. I’m 20, I cannot learn it now!”
Do you have such self-talk when it comes to changing yourself, or building new habits? I used to tell myself all the time that I cannot change. And I stayed that way for quite long. The three limiting beliefs that I shared above, was exactly what I used to tell myself 3 years back.
Jump to the present day.
I have read about 30 books in the last one year - not a huge number, but a big feat for me.
I am in the best shape of my life - clothes never fitted me better.
I receive compliments whenever I play the ukulele - here is a click:
People tell me that I have changed so much over the last 3 years. The way I look, the way I’ve become more confident in talking to people and the way I have picked up new hobbies like reading and skateboarding.
The two photos that you saw in the start were taken in a gap of about 2 years.
I never imagined that I could change myself so much that I become unrecognizable both mentally and physically. Although 2 years may sound like a long time, it is all about a series of identity changes, each of which took about 21 days to develop. Identity change is nothing but a habit becoming second nature to you.
3-step method for identity change
COVID-19 gave us all a good time to introspect, and work on ourselves. It was then that I decided I wanted to change. I imagined my dream future self, and figured out some habits that will set me on the path to achieve the same. Looking back I realize that I was actually following a 3-step method, and you can use the same:
Step 1️⃣: Figure out the atomic habit
What is the smallest change you can do?
I wanted to read. I decided to read 5 pages a day.
I wanted to get lean. I decided to follow a 7-minute workout.
I wanted to learn the ukulele. I started by practicing 4 chords.
Figure out your atomic habit - a habit that you can form most comfortably.
Step 2️⃣: Do it everyday for 21 days
Like Dr. Maltz’s patients took 21 days to adapt to their modifications, your brain will start adapting to the new version of yourself.
The new you who reads, a reader.
The new you who runs, an athlete.
The new you who plays the ukulele, an instrumentalist.
Some days you might want to do more than just 2 pages, 7 minutes or 4 chords. Don’t do it. We are not here to complete a task or to do more on one day and not at all on others. We are here to form a new identity. Just do the minimum. If you think whatever you’re doing is too basic, remember that it is the repetition of basics that makes us great.
Step 3️⃣: Push yourself on the 22nd
After 21 days your body has finally accepted the new you and it is time to push yourself.
Instead of 5, read 7 pages now.
Instead of 7, workout for 9 minutes now.
Instead of practicing 4 chords, learn to play a song that uses those 4 chords.
Whatever you do, do not overdo it. Repeat the cycle again, and level yourself up after every 21 days.
Few weeks down the line you may want to start reading 2 books at a time, workout in a gym or learn multiple songs in a week. Do that!
In a few months of continuing on this path you will become unrecognizable to people. But Tanmay, the title says ‘How to become unrecognizable in 21 days?’, and now you are saying it will take a few months?
No! It will take 21 days only.
You become unrecognizable to yourself when you overcome your limiting beliefs, and complete the first 21 days.
Quote of the week
Author James Clear on the compounding effect of atomic habits:
1% worse every day for one year: 0.99365 = 00.03
1% better every day for one year: 1.01365 = 37.78
Get 1% better ❤
What identity change would you like to see in yourself? Let me know in the comments.
Until next week, ✌
Jainuine
Heyy there!
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Happy Reading.
I had read about the 21days rule to develop a habit earlier. But how we shouldn't do more than what we have decided in the initial 21days is something very interesting! It explains why I end up having some very productive days and some super lazy ones! Consistency is my aim now! Not much, but little bit every single day.
Wonderful!
It is the repetition of basics that makes us Great! This line ✨✨