The Power of Habit

Why We Do What We Do, and How to Change

By: Charles Duhigg

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

There's never been a better time to set new habits. This book will change your life.

Why do we do develop habits? And how can we change them?

We can always change. In The Power of Habit, award-winning New York Times business reporter Charles Duhigg translates cutting-edge behavioural science into practical self-improvement action, distilling advanced neuroscience into fascinating narratives of transformation.

Why can some people and companies change overnight and some stay stuck in their old ruts? The answer lies deep in the human brain, and The Power of Habits reveals the secret pressure points that can change a life. From Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps to Martin Luther King Jr., from the CEO of Starbucks to the locker rooms of the NFL, Duhigg explores the incredible results of keystone habits and how they can make all the difference between billions and millions, failure and success – or even life and death.

The Power of Habit makes an exhilarating case: the key to almost any door in life is instilling the right habit. From exercise to weight loss, child-rearing to productivity, market disruption to social revolution and above all success, the right habits can change everything.

Habits aren't destiny. They’re science, one which can transform our businesses, our communities and our lives.

©2012 Charles Duhigg (P)2012 Random House Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"It’s a fascinating insight into making and breaking habits and offers practical advice, funny stories and critical thinking." ( Press Association)

Great explanation on the psychology of habits.

Good delivery of the content. Well researched and enlightening. Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Well done.

an inspiring read

I powered through this book at 2x speed! the thinking and approaches to changing habits is really.useful in everyday life.

Empowering

I am glad that I finished this book. I have a better grasp and understanding of the significance of habits. this is quite empowering because I have the tools to understand my own habits and those of others. where i am concerned, I am in a better position to manage my own habits and to manage counterproductive behaviour. I can also use this information to try to support other people that I come across to appreciate the significance of habits and how to approach acquiring better habits.

Really worthwhile listen

If you could sum up The Power of Habit in three words, what would they be?

This is a really good book for anyone wanting to develop or change a habit. It gives some science and a lot of practical advice that is realistic to follow. One criticism is that some of the book seems to be "filler" and not really examples of habits as such.

What about Mike Chamberlain’s performance did you like?

Mike Chamberlain reads clearly and his speech was quite distinctive for this southern-hemisphere dweller. I looked him up and discovered I had listened to another book he'd read.

Habit's heaviness is compensated by anecdotes

Liked it ! But too much content to retain and apply. Relevant material for rewiring the brain.

Fascinating, easy to understand and practical.

I'm not a native English speaker.
I'd rate my grasp of the English language at about 6-7/10, yet this book was very clear and easy to understand although I'm not coming from a behivor studies or psychology background.

The book is just fascinating to my opinion, and I enjoy as well as I learned very much from it.

I recommend it 10/10.

Powerful explanation of human behaviour

Succinctly explores the building blocks of humanity and the forces that tie us together. Recommended.

Truly Life Changing

Any additional comments?

If you're reading this then chances are, you want to change something in your life. I've read self help books for years, some good, many terrible. This book stands head and shoulders above them all because the core concept of the book is a prerequisite for any other self help book to work.

In my opinion, anyone can write a self help book full of useful tips. You know the ones - "start with your outcome in mind, set goals, seek the advice of mentors, exercise in the morning, blah blah blah". Nothing wrong with any of that advice ..... other than the fact that so few people have the ability to follow it.

This book is the missing foundation. It's the platform that once in place will provide you the means to make successes of all the other self-help books out there (if you still need them that is).

And one more thing. Duhigg's methodology isn't really 'his' methodology. It relies on current research surrounding the triggers and rewards that make us do the things we do. It's refreshing to read a self-help book like this; one where the author forms his conclusions from empirical research instead of the all too frequent self help author who wakes us one day and writes a book about how much better our lives would be if we were self-disciplined.

helpful & learned new way to change my habbit

helpful & learned new way to change my habbit.... i found the examples very inspiring

A must read for all self improvers

Self improvement is not a single trick but the gathering and implementing of as many lessons as possible. The Power of Habit tackles an important element of behaviour and everyone on an improvement journey should include these insights.