The Proven CHANGE Framework: 5 Steps How to Hack Your Habits and Take Control (Easy Guide for Growth)
- Brad Young
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Let’s be real: We’ve all been there. You wake up on January 1st (or a random Monday) with a burning desire to "completely change your life." You buy the gym membership, you clear out the pantry, and you swear you’ll read fifty books by December.
Then Tuesday happens.
By the following week, that burning desire is a flickering candle in a hurricane of emails, kids' soccer practices, and the magnetic pull of the couch. We want the transformation, but we lack the system.
At Brady Young Change, we don’t believe in "willpower." Willpower is a finite resource that runs out right about the time you smell pizza. We believe in frameworks. Specifically, the CHANGE framework. In his bestselling book CHANGE, Brad Young breaks down transformation into six pillars: Communication, Habits, Attitude, Network, Goals, and Education.
Today, we are zooming in on the "H": the Habits. If you want to take control of your future, you have to hack the automated routines that currently run your life. Here is the proven 5-step guide to doing exactly that.
Step 1: Start with the "G" : Clarify Your Goal and Identity
You can’t hack a habit if you don’t know what you’re trying to build. Most people set "outcome goals": I want to lose 20 pounds.I want to earn six figures.
The problem? Those are destinations, not daily identities.
In the CHANGE framework, we start by aligning your Goals (G) with your identity. Instead of saying "I want to read more," try "I am a person who never stops learning." When you shift the focus to who you are becoming, the habit becomes a way to prove that identity to yourself every single day.
The Actionable Strategy: Pick one habit you want to start. Now, write down the identity it supports.
Habit: 15 minutes of daily prospecting.
Identity: I am a high-performing professional who creates my own opportunities.
Step 2: Design the "H" : The Micro-Habit Loop
This is the "Habit" pillar in its purest form. To hack your brain, you have to understand the Habit Loop: Cue, Routine, and Reward.
If your habit is too big, your brain will rebel. If you haven't read a book in three years, don't try to read for an hour. Start with the 2-Minute Version.
Brad Young often discusses the importance of "intentional daily practices." If you can’t do it for two minutes, you’ll never do it for two hours. The goal is simply to show up. Once the habit of showing up is established, the volume will take care of itself.
The Actionable Strategy:
The Cue: Anchor your new habit to something you already do (e.g., "After I pour my first cup of coffee...").
The Routine: Make it ridiculously easy (e.g., "...I will write down my #1 most important task for the day").
The Reward: Give yourself a quick win. A literal "hell yeah" or checking it off a physical list works wonders for your dopamine levels.
Step 3: Shift the "A" : The Attitude Adjustment
Your mindset is the engine of your habits. If you view your new habit as a chore, you’re already losing. This is where the Attitude (A) pillar of the CHANGE framework comes in.
Most people fail because they have a "fixed mindset." They hit one obstacle: a missed gym session or a bad business decision: and they decide they "just aren't cut out for this."
Hacking your habits requires a Growth Mindset. You have to treat your life like a lab. If a habit fails, it isn't a failure of character; it’s a data point. Maybe the cue was wrong. Maybe the environment was too distracting. When you change your attitude from "I failed" to "I’m iterating," you become unstoppable.
In Brad Young's #1 bestseller Business Decision Making, he explores how high-level leaders use objective data to make pivots without the emotional baggage. You should do the same with your daily routines.
Step 4: Leverage the "N" : Build Your Habit Network
You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. If your Network (N) consists of people who complain about their jobs and binge-watch Netflix until 2:00 AM, your "habit hacks" are going to face massive friction.
One of the fastest ways to hack a habit is to join a tribe where your desired behavior is the normal behavior. If you want to become a better communicator and leader, surround yourself with people who value Communication (C). If you want to master your finances, get around people who talk about investment and growth.
The Actionable Strategy:
Audit your circle: Who in your life is currently making your new habit harder?
Communicate your intention: Tell someone about your new habit. Accountability isn't about being "policed"; it's about being seen. When we communicate our goals, we create a social contract that our brains are wired to want to keep.
Step 5: Commit to "E" : Continuous Education and Review
The final step in the framework is Education (E). You don't just "set it and forget it." You have to stay a student of your own life.
The most successful people we work with at Brady Young Change are those who are constantly consuming research-backed methods and looking for that extra 1% edge. Whether it’s listening to the latest episodes on our PodCentral Publishing Network or diving into the latest self-help literature, education keeps your motivation fresh.
Every Sunday, do a Habit Audit:
What habits did I stick to this week?
What triggered me to skip the others?
How can I adjust my environment to make next week easier?
Put the Framework into Action
Transformation isn't a mystery; it’s a math problem. When you combine the six pillars of CHANGE, the results are inevitable. You stop reacting to life and start designing it.
If you are ready to stop "trying" and start transforming, you need a comprehensive roadmap. Our book CHANGE is the ultimate guide to mastering these six areas of your life, packed with research, relatable examples, and the timeless wisdom you need for today’s world.
For those looking to level up their professional game, don't miss Brad Young's #1 bestseller, Business Decision Making. It’s the playbook for making high-stakes choices with clarity and confidence.
Your challenge for today: Pick ONE habit. Apply these 5 steps. And remember: change doesn't happen in a day; it happens daily.
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