The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business investigates the science behind habit formation in the human brain. Drawing on corporate case studies and pioneering scientific experiments, Duhigg analyzes how individuals, organizations, and societies can use the knowledge of habit formation to change their behaviors. Published in 2012 by Random House, the nonfiction book has reached a broad public readership and landed on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-seller lists.

Other works by this author include Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection and Smarter Faster Better.

Summary

The Prologue explains that habits are unconscious behaviors that can rule our daily routines. Scientists have shown that the human brain cannot discern between good or bad habits, allowing both types to replay in a loop. Despite their power, our habits are not set in stone.

Chapter 1 tells the story of Eugene Pauly, who lost his memory due to an illness. Researchers discovered that despite Eugene’s memory loss, he was still able to form new habits. Here Duhigg explains the habit loop, which includes a cue, a routine, and a reward, and which he references throughout the rest of the book.