The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

Make It Or Break It

My usual habit is to pick up a mystery novel and engross myself in the imagined problems of nonfiction characters. I decided to change this habit and try this nonfiction book with the rather intriguing title that professed to help identify our habits and show us how to change them. Habits are those things we initially choose to do, which have evolved, through repeated use into things we do without thinking. Written in language even I can understand, the book breaks down the pattern of habits into three parts that we can recognize and change. The author illustrates that by first identifying components of a habit, we can then work to change them. This is a self help book that may actually be of some help, if we want to change. This book was provided for review by Random House. Now, where did I put that mystery novel?

86 out of 107 people found this review helpful.

I thought that this was a very interesting read. It is does a g

I thought that this was a very interesting read. It is does a good job as an explanatory book examining habits of people, organizations, and societies. The case studies were well chosen and varied. Some may not like the format, which jumps between different examples, then back again, which I found distracting, rather than helpful. This does not focus on changing your personal habits, though there is an appendix detailing how a reader may try to change their own habits. I plan on trying out the framework myself. Well worth reading, I am purchasing a second copy to send to a relative.

23 out of 28 people found this review helpful.

It is often said that we are creatures of habit, in that many of

It is often said that we are creatures of habit, in that many of our daily activities end up being a matter of routine rather than direct deliberation. While this is no doubt true, author Charles Duhigg insists that this is but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the impact that habits have on our daily lives. Indeed, in his new book `The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business' Duhigg argues that habits not only pervade our personal lives, but that they have an integral role to play in the businesses and other organizations of which we are a part, and that they are also at the heart of successful social movements.

The first part of the book focuses on the role that habits play in our personal lives. Here we learn about the habit loop consisting of cue, routine, and reward, and how the elements in this loop can be manipulated to help modify our habits. We also learn about the power of particular habits called keystone habits (which include exercise, as well as eating together as a family) that help initiate a domino effect that touches all of the other aspects of our lives. Also, we learn about the power of belief--and the importance of social groups in helping create this belief--that stands behind successful habit transformation programs.

The second part of the book concentrates on how habits help shape businesses and organizations. Here we learn that the formation of habits and routines within organizations is unavoidable; what's more, that it is always best for the leadership of a group to make a deliberate effort to shape the habits of their organizations, and in a way that ensures a high degree of equality and fairness for its various members, while nonetheless making it clear who is ultimately in charge of each particular aspect of the operation. Second, we learn that keystone habits--which are at the center of our personal lives--are also pivotal when it comes to larger organizations. We also learn about the greatest keystone habit of all: willpower, and how this habit can best be cultivated (and how companies are employing these lessons to help train employees successfully). Finally, we learn about how companies instill habits in their customers.

The third and final part of the book examines the importance of habits in social movements. Here we learn that movements tend to follow a three-part process. To start with, a movement tends to begin with a group of close friends. The movement tends to grow when these people spread it to the broader communities of which they are a part. Finally, in order to really take hold and spread, the movement must be guided forward by an effective leader who lays down new habits for the movement's adherents in a way that allows them to gain a sense of identity.

On the negative side, the organization of the book is somewhat muddled, as there is significant overlap in the parts on individuals and organizations. Also, the section on social movements rests on a precious few examples, and therefore, the theory seems less convincing than it might otherwise be. Still, though, there are many things to be learned here and the book is well worth the read. For a full summary of the book, as well as many of the juicier details and anecdotes to be found therein, visit the website at newbooksinbrief dot wordpress dot com, and click on article #9. The information in the article will also be available in a condensed version as a podcast on the same site soon.

21 out of 24 people found this review helpful.

Well Worth Your Time to Read and Ponder

I first heard about this book on NPR. I knew that others had written about habits before Mr. Duhigg, but when I heard his interview, I was intrigued and decided to buy it. I'm glad I did.

The Power of Habit contains laymen-friendly explanations drawn from case studies (though presented in a friendly style, not the dry "case study" approach of so many business, legal, and medical textbooks) of how habits form, work, affect our behaviors both as individuals and as corporate bodies, and can change. The information in the book is well-researched; the end notes (grouped by chapter and page) are very much worth reading concurrently with the main text. The information is clearly presented, providing depth of coverage while keeping the presentation friendly and the mental strain not overly burdensome. It is a fine book for the educated layman, but I suspect that experts in the field of habits research will find this book rather elementary.

I have learned that certain habits of mine ARE habits. I've never thought of them that way, but now that I can see them for habits and not inborn parts of my personality, I am in the process of evaluating how to change them to be what I want them to be. We can change our habits; the old, ingrained patterns of behavior don't disappear, and that is what makes habits so hard to break/change, but we can create and ingrain new patterns of behavior in our brains that override or trump the old patterns, thus effectively breaking our habits and creating new ones.

I have already given away one copy of this book to an acquaintance, and I plan to give a few more to friends and relatives.

16 out of 16 people found this review helpful.

Interesting

Really makes you think!

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

An analytic look at decision making

Great read! Perfect for purposes of self help or improving management skills.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Enjoyable Read

An interesting mix of science, research, and real life application. Thos book helps you understand why we do the things we do. The section on how retailers use customer habits to grow their business also intrigued me.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fascinating look at how the brain creates habits, how habits con

Fascinating look at how the brain creates habits, how habits control our lives, and how we can learn or unlearn them.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Excellent

Interesting how a book can target the reason humans are the way they are. Change may be a life factor, but habit has a staying place in our lives. This includes business. This was an excellent read as it made one stop and think about how many things in life and business can be changed by adjusting one thing. It is worth the read whether for individual focus or for business targeted changes.

Fascinating

A great read. A lot to think about and persona.lly apply.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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