‘The Power of Habit’ by Charles Duhigg

A few days ago, I read an amazing book – The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. This book complements my earlier read – Atomic Habits. I am really fascinated by the way the author makes it simple to understand people and their behavior. One just looks at their habits and can predict their future. Habits are the underlying secret of all success in this world.

Duhigg introduces the concept of the habit loop, which consists of three parts – cue, routine, and reward. He explains how habits form and become automatic. A striking example is that of a man named Eugene, who lost his short-term memory but still retained his habits, demonstrating the powerful role of the subconscious.

The book explores how habits create cravings. One fascinating example is Pepsodent toothpaste, which became popular because it created a tingling sensation, making users feel their teeth were cleaner. This demonstrates how companies manufacture cravings to instill long-lasting habits in consumers.

A habit can easily be changed by modifying the routine while keeping the cue and reward the same. Legendary football coach Tony Dungy used this principle to transform his players’ performance, proving that success is built on ingrained habits rather than conscious decision-making.

Some habits influence multiple aspects of life—these are known as keystone habits. For instance, Duhigg describes how Paul O’Neill, former CEO of Alcoa, focused on improving worker safety. This single habit led to increased productivity and profits, showing that one fundamental change can trigger a cascade of positive effects.

Habits play a crucial role in organizational success or failure. The example of Rhode Island Hospital, which suffered preventable errors due to flawed habitual behaviors among doctors and nurses, highlights how bad habits can have disastrous consequences.

Duhigg also uncovers how companies exploit habits using data analytics. The famous Target case, where the company predicted customer pregnancies based on buying patterns, proves how businesses use habits to influence purchasing decisions.

Movements like the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which started with Rosa Parks, show that societal habits drive large-scale changes. Duhigg explains how small personal habits can turn into collective action, shaping history.

The book ends with a thought-provoking discussion on whether people truly control their habits. The case of Brian Thomas, who committed murder in his sleep due to an ingrained habit, raises ethical and neurological questions about responsibility and habitual behavior.

I really enjoyed this book. The language is lucid and simple. It is, in fact, an eye-opener in the study of behavioral science. Especially parents and educators should read this book to understand children more deeply.

Thanks, Charles, for writing this incredible book!