Summary

Charles Duhigg's The Power of Habit has become a cornerstone in the field of personal development and organizational change since its publication in 2012. This New York Times bestseller explores the science behind habit formation and offers insights into how individuals and businesses can harness this knowledge to transform their lives and operations.

Drawing from extensive research and compelling case studies, Duhigg introduces readers to the concept of the “habit loop”— a neurological pattern consisting of a cue, a routine, and a reward. This framework provides a practical approach to understanding and modifying habitual behaviors, from personal habits like exercising regularly to organizational practices that can revolutionize entire industries.

The book's principles have been incorporated into corporate training programs, and Duhigg himself partnered with VitalSmarts in 2020 to create “The Power of Habit Training,” a course designed to help individuals and organizations apply the book's concepts in practical settings.

Plot

Charles Duhigg's The Power of Habit explores the science behind habit formation and how understanding this process can lead to personal and professional transformation. The book begins by introducing the concept of the “habit loop,” a three-step process consisting of a cue, routine, and reward. Duhigg illustrates this concept through various examples, including a woman who transformed her life by quitting smoking and running a marathon.

The author then delves into the world of marketing, recounting how Procter & Gamble struggled to sell Febreze until they discovered a crucial pattern in consumer behavior. By slightly altering their advertising approach, the company turned the product into a billion-dollar success. Duhigg also examines the impact of habits in the corporate world, describing how an untested CEO revolutionized Alcoa by focusing on worker safety habits.

Throughout the book, Duhigg presents a series of case studies that demonstrate the power of habits in various contexts. He explores how habits contributed to the success of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The author also investigates the role of habits in organizations such as Target, Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, and NFL teams.

In the final sections of The Power of Habit, Duhigg introduces the concept of “keystone habits”—patterns that have the potential to spark widespread change in individuals and organizations. He argues that by understanding and harnessing the science of habit formation, people can transform their personal lives, businesses, and communities. The book concludes with an exploration of willpower and its role in creating and maintaining habits, offering readers insights into how they can apply these principles to achieve their own goals.

Themes

• The science of habit formation and change

• The habit loop: cue, routine, reward

• The role of cravings in habit development

• Keystone habits and their impact

• The golden rule of habit change

• The importance of belief in habit transformation

• Applications of habit science in business and personal life

Setting

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg is set primarily in the contemporary era, spanning the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The book draws on research and case studies from various time periods to illustrate the science of habit formation and its practical applications in modern life.

While not confined to a specific geographical location, the book's narratives and examples span across the United States and beyond. Duhigg takes readers from corporate boardrooms in Cincinnati to NFL locker rooms, from the front lines of the civil rights movement to neuroscience laboratories. The author also explores settings like Target superstores, Starbucks cafes, and even the nation's largest hospitals to demonstrate the far-reaching impact of habits.

Specific places featured in the book include Procter & Gamble's headquarters, where marketers study consumer behavior to revive the Febreze brand; Alcoa's offices, where a new CEO transformed the company through safety habits; and various research facilities where scientists uncover the neurological basis of habit formation. These diverse settings serve to illustrate the universal nature of habits and their potential for transformation in personal, professional, and societal contexts.

Key Figures

• Charles Duhigg: The author and narrator of the book. Duhigg is an investigative reporter for The New York Times who became interested in the science of habit formation. He interviewed numerous scientists, executives, and individuals to understand how habits work and can be changed. Throughout the book, Duhigg weaves together scientific research and real-life examples to illustrate the power of habits in shaping our lives and society.

• Claude Hopkins: An early 20th-century advertising pioneer. Hopkins developed marketing techniques that helped make Pepsodent toothpaste a national habit, revolutionizing oral hygiene in America. His story illustrates how creating new habits through clever marketing can transform industries and social norms.

• Paul O'Neill: Former CEO of Alcoa who transformed the company by focusing on worker safety as a keystone habit. O'Neill's leadership demonstrates how targeting one critical habit can lead to widespread positive changes throughout an organization. His success at Alcoa serves as a prime example of the power of keystone habits in business.

• Tony Dungy: Former coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts. Dungy turned around struggling teams by focusing on habits and routines rather than complex strategies. His coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of making positive behaviors automatic, demonstrating how habit formation can lead to success in sports and leadership.

• Lisa Allen: A study subject whose life was transformed by changing one keystone habit. Allen's story of overcoming addiction and improving multiple aspects of her life by focusing on exercise illustrates the cascading effects of habit change on an individual level.

• Brian Wansink: A food scientist who studies eating habits and consumer behavior. Wansink's research on mindless eating habits provides insights into how environmental cues influence our behavior without conscious awareness.

• Howard Schultz: CEO of Starbucks who implemented a comprehensive employee training program focused on willpower and habit formation. Schultz's approach to employee development showcases how understanding habits can improve customer service and business performance.

Quick facts

• The Power of Habit spent over 60 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

• The book has been translated into over 40 languages worldwide.

• Duhigg spent nearly a decade researching and writing the book.

• The concept of the “habit loop” introduced in the book has been widely adopted in psychology and behavioral science.

• Duhigg's exploration of Febreze's marketing strategy in the book has become a classic case study in business schools.

• The author interviewed over 300 scientists and executives while writing the book.

• The book's success led to a follow-up titled Smarter Faster Better in 2016.

• Duhigg's work on habits has been featured in over 100 television, radio, and magazine articles.

• The book's insights have been applied in fields ranging from education to healthcare to corporate management.

• Duhigg received the National Academies Communication Award for the book in 2013.

About the Author

Charles Duhigg, born in 1974 in New Mexico, is a renowned American journalist and non-fiction author. He graduated from Yale University and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. Duhigg's career in journalism began with a brief stint as a bike messenger in San Francisco before he found his true calling as a writer.

Duhigg's work has garnered significant acclaim. While at The New York Times, he led a team that won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for their series on the business practices of Apple and other tech companies. His investigative reporting has earned him numerous other accolades, including the National Journalism Award and the Investigative Reporters and Editors' Medal.

As an author, Duhigg has penned three bestselling books. His first, The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, spent over three years on The New York Times bestseller lists. His subsequent works, Smarter Faster Better and Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection, have also achieved critical and commercial success.

Currently writing for The New Yorker Magazine, Duhigg resides in Santa Cruz, California, with his wife and two children. His work continues to explore the intersection of science and behavior.