Habits. They're all around us. We all have them and perform them every day, probably without really thinking too much about them. But, how do these habits really affect our lives?
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business sets out to answer that question, giving us all something to aspire to in our own lives. In order to be successful in life and in business, we must embrace the habits of success.Through the power of science, the author Charles Duhigg provides valuable instruction into why we have the habits we have. You'll also learn how to change those habits you've had for years, but that have proven to be unsuccessful in propelling you forward in your life, as well as in your career. Through modern-day examples of how various corporations have turned business-ending disasters into overnight success ventures, you'll see the principles explained in this book being brought to life.
For an entertaining and informative glance into the habits that have transformed the lives of such great people as Michael Phelps and Martin Luther King, Jr. this book is a valuable resource for any entrepreneur who aspires for greatness.
Charles Duhigg is a business reporter for the New York Times. He has become a renowned Science and Technology author, as well as having been a valued writer at such publications as The Los Angeles Times. Be on the lookout for more business works from him in the future, including a study about Apple called iEconomy, which will take you on a journey of the history of this great company and its effects on business all around the world.
"Good quasi-self help / introspective read. Looks at how to modify behaviors that are negative without searching for an overarching goal to begin with (i.e. I need to stop doing this because it's bad, rather than, I need to achieve this and these are the steps to get there)."
— Darryl (4 out of 5 stars)
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • For anyone looking to rebuild old habits, form new ones, or start all over, this instant classic “masterfully combines cutting-edge research and captivating stories to reveal how habits shape our lives and how we can shape our habits” (Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive).
Named One of the Best Books of the Year by The Wall Street Journal and 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.
Praise for The Power of Habit
“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
“Entertaining . . . enjoyable . . . fascinating . . . a serious look at the science of habit formation and change.”—The New York Times Book Review
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“Entertaining, an enjoyable book…A serious look at the science of habit formation and change.”
— New York Times Book Review“Charles Duhigg masterfully combines cutting-edge research and captivating stories to reveal how habits shape our lives and how we can shape our habits. Once you read this book, you’ll never look at yourself, your organization, or your world quite the same way.”
— Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling authorSharp, provocative, and useful.
— Jim CollinsFew [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 TimesEntertaining . . . enjoyable . . . fascinating . . . a serious look at the science of habit formation and change.
— The New York Times Book ReviewCue: see cover. Routine: read book. Reward: fully comprehend the art of manipulation.
— Bloomberg BusinessweekA fresh examination of how routine behaviors take hold and whether they are susceptible to change . . . The stories that Duhigg has knitted together are all fascinating in their own right, but take on an added dimension when wedded to his examination of habits.
— Associated PressThere’s been a lot of research over the past several years about how our habits shape us, and this work is beautifully described in the new book The Power of Habit.
— David Brooks, The New York TimesA first-rate book—based on an impressive mass of research, written in a lively style and providing just the right balance of intellectual seriousness with practical advice on how to break our bad habits.
— The EconomistI have been spinning like a top since reading The Power of Habit, New York Times journalist Charles Duhigg’s fascinating best-seller about how people, businesses and organizations develop the positive routines that make them productive—and happy.
— The Washington PostAn absolutely fascinating . . . book [that explores] a startling and sometimes dismaying collision between the increasingly sophisticated scientific understanding of habits—how they’re formed, how they can be disrupted and changed—and, among other things, companies’ efforts to use that knowledge to steer your habits and money their way.
— WiredIf Duhigg is right about the nature of habits, which I think he is, then trying to get rid of these bad habits won’t work. Instead, what is needed is to teach the managers to identify the cues that lead to these bad habits and rewards, and then learn alternative routines that lead to similar rewards, i.e. business and personal success.
— ForbesThe Power of Habit is chock-full of fascinating anecdotes . . . how an early twentieth century adman turned Pepsodent into the first bestselling toothpaste by creating the habit of brushing daily, how a team of marketing mavens at Procter & Gamble rescued Febreze from the scrapheap of failed products by recognizing that a fresh smell was a fine reward for a cleaning task, how Michael Phelps’ coach instilled habits that made him an Olympic champion many times over, and how Tony Dungy turned the Indianapolis Colts into a Super Bowl–winning team.
— Los Angeles Times" A really great book about how habits are formed and changed in individuals, groups, and society. As such, the book is really successful as a both a self-help book and a sociological study. "
— Sarah, 2/11/2014" I listened to this book via audiobook and I am glad that I did, because it was a times a little dry and I don't know that I would have made it through if I read it on paper (that's the nice thing about audiobooks, you can kind of zone out through boring parts). That being said, this book was really interesting. I particularly enjoyed the section on how corporations use the power of habit to be more effecient and market to their customers. This book also offers some interesting ways to change your own habits in your life. Overall, pretty interesting read. "
— Melissa, 2/1/2014" Great read. Loved the chapter about Target stores. Seemed the analogy stretched too far with the habits of social change (civil rights movement, etc). A great one to have read before January 1st- I definitely will be trying some of the strategies as New Year's Resolutions! "
— Robertjaynes, 1/29/2014" Pretty good, didn't change my life. "
— Tamara, 1/24/2014" Fascinating brain research on habits and their formation. "
— Anna, 1/20/2014" Loving it:) "
— Rachna, 1/19/2014" This is really a great book. It's just that I was reading it during finals (NOT a good idea, by the way), and the library had reserves on it when it was due... But it has some great stuff in it. It's a bit like Outliers in the tone of writing and delivery. "
— Klymene, 1/10/2014" Some really helpful stuff in here, but reads like a New York Times story... wait.... "
— William, 10/3/2013" Excellent book about our habits, how they born, why and most importantly how to change them consciously. "
— Luis, 8/4/2013" Pretty awesome so far. An interesting read on becoming a habitual person whether good or bad. Unfortunately, late-night pizza has been habitual for a lot of my life. :-o "
— Jeff, 6/5/2013" I like the way Duhigg sectioned out personal, business, and societal habits. It helped in overcoming some of the science/statistical oriented material. Interesting perspective and insight into why we do some of the things we do. "
— Patti, 5/29/2013" If you read one book, read this one. It emphasizes how we are creature of habits to which we didn't choose or even know about. Fascinating. "
— Rena, 5/20/2013" Disappointing. Another self-help book that could be summarized in a pamphlet. "
— Lou, 4/18/2013" Cue, routine, reward: everything is a habit! If you want to understand how to make your habits work for you, or understand how organizations manipulate habits to create success, read this book. Now. "
— Eva, 1/31/2013" Backed with stats, stories and anecdotes, it's a well-written, in-depth read of how habits affect people in unexpected ways. The various stories used in the book are illuminating, and brings some pointedness to the acts of habits good and bad. "
— Velanche, 11/7/2012" Awesomeness .. "
— Mostafa, 9/29/2012" We all need habits to get through out day. This book gives us a glimpse into how habits can go wrong, how we can train our brain to make changes and how sometimes we are powerless in the face of our habits. There are great examples throughout the book. "
— Robyn, 8/6/2012" This is a fascinating book and should be required reading for everyone. "
— Florence, 5/11/2012" Great book. I would have expected more examples at time. "
— Peggii, 4/16/2012Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for the New York Times and author of The Power of Habit. A graduate of Yale College and Harvard Business School, he has received the George Polk Award, the National Academies of Science Award, and other awards. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children.
Mike Chamberlain is an actor and voice-over performer in Los Angeles whose audiobook narration has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards. His voice credits range from radio commercials and television narration to animation and video game characters. Stage trained at Boston College, he has performed works from Shakespeare and the classics to contemporary drama and comedy.