The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg - Quick Review and Book Summary

 We all know that some habits can make us rich, while others make us poor.  And while some habits make us fat, others make us fit.  But if you are poor and fat and want to be rich and fit is it as easy as changing your habits? And if so, how can you do that?

In The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life and Business, Charles Duhigg
explains the role our brains play in forming our habits and how we can change our habits to achieve better outcomes.  Duhigg uses recent research in experimental psychology, neurology, and applied psychology to show us how to change habits that no longer serve us.

PART ONE: THE HABITS OF INDIVIDUALS

1. The Habit Loop - How Habits Work

The habit loop consists of a cue, a routine, and a reward. First, a cue tells the brain what to do. Second, a routine follows the cue. Third is the reward.  Over time, the cue, routine, and reward loop become more ingrained.

2. The Craving Brain - How to Create New Habits

You can create new habits by getting yourself or someone else to crave a certain reward.

3. The Golden Rule of Habit Change - Why Transformation Occurs

Chapter three explains the golden rule of habit change: you can’t extinguish a bad habit, but you can change it. To change a habit, identify the cue that proceeds the habit. Use this same cue, but insert a different routine that obtains the same reward. For example, AA often works because it exchanges relaxing and having a drink with friends with relaxing and talking over problems with friends. Alcoholics often relapse after a stressful event because their habit of reaching for a bottle when stress occurs is strong.  But once an alcoholic incorporates new routines that provide the same relief as a drink once did, they often stop drinking.

PART TWO - THE HABITS OF SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATIONS

4. Keystone Habits, or The Ballad of Paul O'Neill - Which Habits Matter Most

Keystone habits can begin changes that propel further change. Small wins can gain momentum and create more wins.  Once  new habits become ingrained, an organization’s culture changes.

5. Starbucks and the Habit of Success - When Willpower Becomes Automatic

Willpower is not unlimited. Once willpower is used on some tasks it diminishes for later tasks. This explains why it is important to get important tasks done first thing in the morning.


6. The Power of a Crisis - How Leaders Create Habits Through Accident and Design

A crisis in an organization can often lead to an environment where there is an opportunity to change the culture.

7. How Target Knows What You Want Before You Do - When Companies Predict (and manipulate) Habits

Many companies use “reward” cards to collect data so that the companies can market additional products to us to increase sales.

PART THREE - THE HABITS OF SOCIETIES

8. Saddleback Church and the Montgomery Bus Boycott - How Movements Happen

An interesting tip for job hunters is that weak-tie acquaintances are often more important than strong-tie acquaintances in finding a new job.  Also, by using peer pressure, small movements gain momentum.

9. The Neurology of Free Will - Are We Responsible for Our Habits?

We can choose our habits once we know how.

Rating: $$$$$ out of 5.  You can change your destiny by changing your habits .  

This quick summary does not capture all that can be gleaned from this excellent book.  Charles Duhigg is an excellent story teller and this book is worth reading. This book can be purchased on Amazon by clicking the link below.  I paid for my copy of this book the same as you will should you decide to purchase it.  I have received nothing from the author or publisher for this review. 



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