From: alexhormozi
The most challenging respect to earn is one’s own [00:00:00]. Achieving success, whether it’s building a business or reaching personal goals, involves more than just setting external objectives [00:00:43]. It fundamentally ties into who you become through your actions and choices [00:01:09].
The Be-Do-Have Framework
Personal growth can be understood through a three-element framework [00:00:52]:
- External Result [00:00:56]: The desired outcome, such as making more money or achieving a fitness goal [00:00:58].
- Processes, Behaviors, and Activity [00:01:00]: The work and actions required to achieve the goal [00:01:04].
- Being the Type of Person [00:01:09]: Identifying with the behaviors and embodying the characteristics of someone who naturally performs those actions [00:01:13].
This “be-do-have” concept highlights that the deepest transformation comes from becoming the person who naturally does the things that lead to desired results [00:01:26].
Goals vs. Activities
Contrary to popular belief, merely writing down goals is often insufficient [00:01:58]. Winners and losers frequently share the same goals [00:02:14]. What distinguishes them is the consistent commitment to the activities that drive progress [00:02:48]. The goal isn’t just the outcome, but the consistent commitment to the activities themselves [00:12:08]. People often know what to do but fail to do it [00:03:40].
The “What Would This Type of Person Do?” Keystone Habit
A powerful foundational personal development tactic is to ask yourself, “What would a person who does this type of thing do in this instance?” [00:04:04]. This question serves as a mental cue to guide decision-making and actions [00:05:23].
Examples of this question include:
- “What would a wise man do?” [00:04:18]
- “What would a billionaire do?” [00:05:12]
- “What would someone 10 times smarter than me do?” [00:06:03]
- “What would Jesus do?” [00:09:46]
- “What would King Solomon do?” [00:10:16]
- “What would Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger do?” [00:10:27]
This approach simplifies the process, making it easier than remembering a long checklist of activities [00:05:01]. It addresses unforeseen situations because you embody a certain type of person rather than following a rigid plan [00:09:27].
Identity as a Voting System
Your identity functions like a voting system [00:04:39]. Every action you take casts a vote for the type of person you aspire to be [00:04:42]. For example, if you consistently ask “What would a wise man do?” and act accordingly, you are casting votes towards becoming a wiser person [00:04:18].
The word “identity” itself means “repeated beingness” [00:08:33]. Your actions literally shape who you are [00:08:37]. While affirmations (e.g., “I am a lion”) on their own are largely ineffective [00:06:31], coupling them with action provides the necessary evidence to reinforce your desired identity [00:06:53].
“We need to be reminded more than we need to be taught. Most people know they should be doing more than they’re currently doing in order to achieve their goals.” [00:13:40]
The key to sustained growth and achieving extraordinary results is to consistently perform “uncommonly obvious” actions for an extended period [00:15:02]. This is only possible if you are doing it because it aligns with who you are or who you are becoming, rather than solely for an external outcome [00:15:08]. Focusing on the internal shift of identity allows for long-lasting, deep change that eventually feels effortless [00:05:37].