Making Habits, Breaking Habits

Why We Do Things, Why We Don't, and How to Make Any Change Stick

By: Jeremy Dean

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

Say you want to start going to the gym or practicing a musical instrument. How long should it take before you stop having to force it and start doing it automatically? The surprising answers are found in Making Habits, Breaking Habits, a leading psychologist’s popular examination of one of the most powerful and underappreciated processes in the brain. Although people like to think that they are in control, the vast majority of human behavior occurs without any decision-making or conscious thought.

Drawing on hundreds of fascinating studies, psychologist Jeremy Dean busts the myths to finally explain why seemingly easy habits, like eating an apple a day, can be surprisingly difficult to form, and how to take charge of your brain’s natural "autopilot" to make any change stick.

Witty and intriguing, Making Habits, Breaking Habits shows how behavior occurs more than just a product of what you think. It is possible to bend your habits to your will - and be happier, more creative, and more productive.

©2013 Jeremy Dean (P)2013 Gildan Media LLC

Critic reviews

"Making changes does take longer than we may expect - no 30-day, 30-pounds-lighter quick fix - but by following the guidelines laid out by Dean, listeners have a decent chance at establishing fulfilling, new patterns." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"An accessible and informative guide for listeners to take control of their lives." ( Publishers Weekly)

Small steps really do add up...

"Making Habits, Breaking Habits" describes what it takes to form new habits and how to optimize success along the way. The book takes on the 21 day "rule of thumb" that is so often referred to (hint: while it varies based on the habit type, the 21-day parameter generally isn't correct). What I found especially useful is how Dr. Dean describes actionable ways one can increase the likelihood of successful habit forming, by habit type. He also reinforces the concept that multiple small changes can add up to big benefits. This book is a worthwhile listen for anyone trying to develop or reinforce habits, whether it's stopping smoking, eating healthier, exercising more routinely, etc.

Kick in the pants for me...

I've a few habits I want to go away and a few that I'd like to add. This book held my attention nicely, helped me understand a few things I didn't and gave me a kick in the right direction. It feels like it is well researched, the voice engaging and some interesting supportive examples. It feels like attending a 200 level psychology college class with a good professor. I got it on sale and it was well worth the few bucks I spent.

The best

The best habit book I have read. No nonsense or unrealistic promises, Dean tells you what you need to do to develop good habits and the challenges you will face.

Engaging and Informative

Life hacks and mindfulness. I enjoyed the reading of this book, and am applying the information I gleaned on my first listen.

pragmatic, useful & research-based

If you could sum up Making Habits, Breaking Habits in three words, what would they be?

pragmaticevidence-baseduseful

What was one of the most memorable moments of Making Habits, Breaking Habits?

The debunking of the myth that "it only takes 21 days to change a habit." Depending on the habit, and according to scientific findings, it can take much longer to change habits & it was refreshing to hear this content from a popular press book. This is a resource that I now recommend to both clients & colleagues to support them in learning healthy habits & teaching others how to do so

Any additional comments?

Not sure if rating performance makes sense but the narrators voice was effective and not annoying - sometimes voices are a distraction & performance of this narrator supported learning, thus I rated performance. Same with "story": effective anecdotes & presentation of info