The Power of Habit

Why We Do What We Do, and How to Change

Charles Duhigg

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An award-winning journalist reveals the secrets of why you do what you do - and how to change

In The Power of Habit, award-winning New York Times business reporter Charles Duhigg takes us to the thrilling edge of scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed. With penetrating intelligence and an ability to distill vast amounts of information into engrossing narratives, Duhigg brings to life a whole new understanding of human nature and its potential for transformation.

Along the way we learn why some people and companies struggle to change, despite years of trying, while others seem to remake themselves overnight. We visit laboratories where neuroscientists explore how habits work and where, exactly, they reside in our brains. We discover how the right habits were crucial to the success of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, and civil-rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr. We go inside Procter & Gamble, Target superstores, Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, NFL locker rooms, and the nation's largest hospitals and see how implementing so-called keystone habits can earn billions and mean the difference between failure and success, life and death.

At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, raising exceptional children, becoming more productive, building revolutionary companies and social movements, and achieving success is understanding how habits work.

Habits aren't destiny. As Charles Duhigg shows, by harnessing this new science, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives.

Pub date: 16 April 2013
ISBN: 9781847946249
Imprint: Random House Books
Format: Paperback
Pages: 400
RRP: $28.00

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Praise for The Power of Habit

“In this fascinating book, Charles Duhigg reveals the myriad ways in which our habits shape our lives. Do you want to know why Febreze became a bestselling product? Or how the science of habits can be used to improve willpower? Read this book.”

Jonah Lehrer

“Once you read this book, you’ll never look at yourself, your organisation, or your world quite the same way.”

Daniel H. Pink

“Absolutely fascinating.”

Wired

“This is a 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 Economist

“Plenty of business books that try to tap into the scientific world manage to distil complicated research into readable prose. But few take the next step and become essential manuals for business and living. The Power of Habit is an exception.”

Andrew Hill, Financial Times

“Duhigg gives a compelling insight in to the world of subconscious behaviour. This is no homespun remedy, Duhigg's observations have real, scientific gravitas.”

Woman & Home

“In his book The Power of Habit Charles Duhigg approaches the subject of what habits are and how we can ultimately change them. Written in an engaging style, with just the right balance of scientific fact and actual examples...”

The Book Garden Blog

“Inspiring stuff!”

Counsel

“The Power of Habit steps sideways into science and brain chemistry to back up its key message: that identifying and implementing keystone habits is the difference between success and failure, whatever your goals. So if you’re a procrastinator, or a sleeper-inner, pick it up – and see how quickly you can morph those habits into habitual success. When you get around to it, obviously.”

Stylist

“This fascinating book by a New York Times journalist explores how people get stuck in a rut and delves into psychological and neuroscientific research to find out what it takes to change our most deeply ingrained habits.”

Best Brainy Books of the Decade, Guardian