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)

Interesting key points

What made the experience of listening to The Power of Habit the most enjoyable?

Although I feel that some stories tend to drag on a bit, I do think that overall this is a great book and it makes complete sense. Identifying key stone habits is critical and I am amazed at some of the corporate stories where these habits caused incredible destruction over time.This book has given me a completely new angle on business and how decisions are made.

What about Mike Chamberlain’s performance did you like?

He was very clear and easy to listen to.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Much needed insights about Habits

Great book to know the ins and outs of Habits. How habits are formed? How it works? How it can be changed to better suit our needs? How habits are exploited by business? and why habits are really important!

Great book! Worth listening about habit loops.

Fascinating stories

A lot of food for thought on changing habits both in your personal and professional life. The cases provided to exemplify the theories are very helpful.

Stuff you know, but reinforced with research

A great listen. A mixture of new and old ideas reinforced with research. Everyone knows about habits, but it's great to know the science behind it, so that you can reshape the habits that make up your life. It's also great to know how corporations use your own habits against you. Again, something you know, but explained so well that you can better prepare yourself for the temptations and habit-altering influences around you.

Whenever I'm tempted to buy something I shouldn't, or I don't feel like going to the gym, I hear the words from this book. I tell myself I'm trying to reshape my habit loop. I know why it's hard for me to say no to that bottle of Coca-Cola, or to go to the gym. But more importantly I've learnt how to either break the habit of doing something I shouldn't, or create a habit of doing something I should.

I've had a life long problem of buying gym memberships, only to use it once or twice a month. I have rejoined the gym, and I am going regularly, 4-5 times a week. The gym is no longer a chore for me. All I needed to do was turn it into a habit. I wasn't easy. This book isn't a miracle cure. It still takes hard work, but this book gives you the insight and advice to "help" you do it, however, the rest is still up to you.

To top it all off, Mike Chamberlain is also a great narrator. I plan on re-listening to this audiobook, but this time take notes while I'm doing it. I recommend you write down anything that you find relevant as you go.

A wonderful book if you’re looking to change things in your life.

I can’t give you anymore information about the positive qualities of the book that itself or other reviews haven’t already given, so I’ll just tell you the one negative I had.

To be brief, it had apathetic views about about a problem gambler and casinos manipulative methods, though the segment was still informative.

What a good story

I really enjoy every second of this book. Well worth the money and time listening to it.

absolutely amazing book worth listening.

Habits play a huge role in building our life. You must install good habits .

awesome book with great insights insights

The book was simply awesome filled with intriguing stories exploring habits of people and how they affected decision-making. It provides great insights and a ready framework for people to step back and have a relook into their own habits and notice things that they haven't thought of or noticed before.

The best book I've listened to this year

I loved. interesting throughout, a lot of insights into understanding human behaviour and how to mold it. Everything in the book is linked by a golden thread.

Superb read

It's a great book to understand how habit works and how we can built or eliminate habits.
Very well explained by use of stories and research insights.