The Power of Habit is a 2012 nonfiction book that’s all about taking a new look at habit formation through a scientific lens. Drawing on dozens of practical cases, this book examines how we form habits and what roles they play in our lives. Ultimately, this book addresses the real question: how do we implement the habits we need to develop, in order to become the people we want to be.
Who is Charles Duhigg, the Author of The Power of Habit?
Charles Duhigg is an author and reporter who specializes in writing about productivity and habit formation. Throughout his career, he’s also given some very successful talks and been awarded a Pulitzer Prize.
The Style of The Power of Habit
With his background in journalism, it’s no surprise that Duhigg’s writing sounds like it’s been taken out of a (good) magazine. It is catchy, clear, and always based on fact. Thanks to a good blend of anecdotes and more serious facts, the book is easy to follow and keeps you hooked throughout.
The Content of The Power of Habit
If you’re the kind of person who loves the anecdotal parts of magazine stories, this book is for you. Although it’s well structured and gives a lot of practical advice, most of what you’ll learn in this book comes from stories. Throughout this business book, Charles Duhigg tells stories of companies who understood profound things about their consumers’ habits, of people who changed their life for the better with a 10-minute habit, of famous people’s obscure habits, and much more.
Another thing I enjoyed about the book was the scientific studies that it touched on. Duhigg will often focus a little more on explaining concepts such as dopamine spikes in the brain, which really drives the point home on the benefits of habit formation. Overall, it’s a book that’s very good at presenting stories and anecdotes and letting you draw your own conclusion.
Is The Power of Habit for Me?
If you’re looking for a very entertaining, research-based book on habit formation, this book is a great read. Some may find it a little disorganized, as it’s more based on anecdotes and studies than on a clear argumentative structure. But overall, it’s a very good business book on habit formation which will be useful to any entrepreneur, small business owner, or even student.
Final Thoughts on The Power of Habit
Charles Duhigg’s business book on habit formation may not be the most comprehensive book on habit formation that you can find, but it’s definitely the most entertaining one. By presenting us with dozens of fun stories and anecdotes, Duhigg draws a clear picture of how we can create the habits we want to have, and break the ones we don’t. Overall, it’s a very successful book that feels more like listening to a podcast than reading a textbook.
Business Books Similar to The Power of Habit
If habit formation is a topic you’d like to explore more, we’d highly recommend checking out Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubins. Atomic Habits by James Clear is also a great, practical book on building your life around the habits you want.
