Letter-writing Habit Hack #1: Identify as a Letter-Writer

We love James Clear’s amazing book ATOMIC HABITS for giving us easy, proven tactics to develop better letter-writing habits.

Clear’s first rule is: develop identity-based habits. Since we are our identity, or how we see ourselves and who we want to be, identity-based habits keep us motivated on subconscious and conscious levels. Our habits become actions that reinforce who we are.

Why identify with being a good letter-writer?   We’ve previously shared that hand-written notes help you say thank you, celebrate milestones, and deepen relationships.  

Here are some reasons you might wish to identify as a good letter-writer, based on the three types of hand-written notes we shared in our previous post.

1. Say Thank You

When you write a thank you note, you are someone who is: 

• Humble, grateful, thoughtful, loving

• Conscientious and self-disciplined

• Good at reciprocating

• Committed to treating everyone with respect

• Willing to go extra mile to make others feel seen

• Inspired to make someone’s day with small acts of kindness

• Confident and knows their words are powerful

2. Celebrate Milestones

When you write a note to celebrate a milestone, you are someone who is: 

• Thoughtful, caring, and kind

• Committed to lifting others up and celebrating their accomplishments

• Good at keeping their promises

• Positive and sees life as full of reasons to celebrate

• Aware of the importance of rituals and marking milestones

3. Deepen Relationships

When you write a note to deepen relationships, you are someone who is: 

• Loving and who values close relationships with others

• Able to be honest and vulnerable 

• Curious about learning from others’ experiences

• Wise and able to help others connect to their higher purpose or meaning

• Creative, including using written word, paper, or drawing to express and reveal  themselves in novel, fun, or humorous ways.

What identity attributes do you associate with letter-writing?  No matter what types of letters you write, you can aspire to build the habits of being a good letter-writer.