• The Power of Habit

  • Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
  • By: Charles Duhigg
  • Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
  • Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (68,228 ratings)

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The Power of Habit  By  cover art

The Power of Habit

By: Charles Duhigg
Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
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Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • This instant classic explores how we can change our lives by changing our habits.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Wall Street Journal • Financial Times

In The Power of Habit, award-winning business reporter Charles Duhigg takes us to the thrilling edge of scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed. Distilling vast amounts of information into engrossing narratives that take us from the boardrooms of Procter & Gamble to the sidelines of the NFL to the front lines of the civil rights movement, Duhigg presents a whole new understanding of human nature and its potential. At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, being more productive, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. As Duhigg shows, by harnessing this new science, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives.

With a new Afterword by the author

“Sharp, provocative, and useful.”—Jim Collins

“Few [books] become essential manuals for business and living. The Power of Habit is an exception. Charles Duhigg not only explains how habits are formed but how to kick bad ones and hang on to the good.”Financial Times

“A flat-out great read.”—David Allen, bestselling author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

“You’ll never look at yourself, your organization, or your world quite the same way.”—Daniel H. Pink, bestselling author of Drive and A Whole New Mind

“Entertaining . . . enjoyable . . . fascinating . . . a serious look at the science of habit formation and change.”The New York Times Book Review

©2012 Charles Duhigg (P)2012 Random House, Inc.

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What listeners say about The Power of Habit

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

good read

time to start tackling some bad habits and creating some good ones! step one identify the habit...

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great

Loved the education, the stories, and the examples. Since pauses that made me think it shut off though

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not my favorite

This book is lots of scientific studies, some very long stories..I enjoyed a few chapters (found them motivating) but not really my style... It was "meh"..

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

it was ok

Not sure how I feel about this book. I had a really hard time listening to it. I took a lot of breaks with this one. seemed more of habits for corporations then for individuals

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book!`

Really enjoyed reading this book. Glad I bought it. Hope you enjoy too! Fifteenth word.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well put together

Very well written. Very informative. He explains everything in detail and it makes so much sense. This book opened my eyes to a lot. I highly recommend.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting and discussed the science of our brain and habits.

Not as complete as I hoped. Talked about changing habits but not much on trying to create new ones in your life or organization. Gave examples of people that did it but not a process other than saying there armed thousands of ways!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very detailed information.

Enjoyed this listen! The perception can make you realize how habits are so powerful in life.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Learned a lot

Learned a lot, the stories kinda dragged out which is why I gave it 4 starts! I did like and enjoy it tho 🤍

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

We can analyze & create plans for better habits

During the 2022-2023 holidays, I realized that I have developed some bad habits that have contributed to Type 2 Diabetes, problems meeting deadlines, unfinished projects, being slow to respond to important communications: procrastination, over-eating, and poor self-care being the leading categories. As a reflective, well-educated, and responsible person, I generally know what to do, but I looked at the comments and felt I might learn something from this book.

To help overcome personal challenges, I played recorded books on a loop for decades: Dennis Whaitley, Napoleon Hill, Zig Ziglar, Les Brown, Brian Tracey, Tony Robbins, Dale Carnegie, etc. All were so helpful I kept listening to them. Then, my life became so busy, and my interests so broad and powerfully motivating, I stopped looping them.

I had earned a Master's Degree in Education. I had lost weight. My blood sugar had been brought under control, mostly through better dietary choices. My career had stabilized. Even my debts were starting to gradually recede from their high water mark.

As a Special Education Teacher, I was feeling overwhelmed: too much to do, to little time; everybody depending on me. At home, I felt as though I was not contributing enough. My parents were going through a crisis, and I was too busy to come to their rescue. I was feeling drained, procrastinating, and paralyzed.

With a tsunami of events looming in 2023, I knew I had to do something about it. Since I started reading this well organized, science based, and accesible style, I've adopted a new approach: "small victories." I'm following the Hero's Journey, by N Rey (Darrbee), and have already lost a belt loop. I'm applying it in the classroom. It's given me the leverage I need to meet my responsibilities, and maybe even start gaining some advantages.

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