BOOK REVIEW: THE POWER OF HABIT BY CHARLES DUHIGG

This article contains the “The Power of Habit” book review, lessons learned from it, and recommendation to use the strategy of changing yourself.

Introduction:

Have you ever asked yourself why do you do what you do? Did you find the exact answer to that question? If no, you possibly have to read this "The Power of Habit" review in order to learn about the science of habits. Yes, habits are not inborn things. There are several interviews, stories, and accidents discussed in the book that reveals how people fall propel themselves toward the adoption of any habit. This review intends to emphasize you to read the book without procrastination and also allows you to get an insight into how your habits can be controlled without ineffective interventions.

Are you really willing to change your life? Do you have the desire to be what you want to be? Well, this book is a comprehensively effective tool for you to read. You will find out that alcoholics, smokers, binge-eaters, and other addicts fall into bad habit traps following the process. You are at least likely to grasp the habit of science if you read the complete book. 

Targeted concept:

Habits emerge from within and by frequent repetitions. We perform certain actions because there's always something that triggers them - a cue. Cue is an idea which whenever strikes your brain, creates some sort of craving inside you to initiate a particular activity - routine - which will ultimately lead you to attain the desired outcome - reward. The whole book defines how our brain functions when we are exposed to a cue and perform an action. 

This book "The Power of Habit" is written by bestselling writer Charles Duhigg. He has explored various patterns of how do habits work. You would wonder reading that habits are not natural. We ourselves let them intervene through practice and after several repetitions, they become so automatic that there's only a small cue to trigger us to perform them.

The book is divided into three parts - actually four parts, the fourth part is not mentioned in the content list. The first part is dedicated to the habits of individuals. It contains stories of individuals whose existence contributed to the study of the science of habits. The second part is devised to the habits of organization. Here, the reader would find out how habits in organizations form and work. The third part is dedicated to the habits of the societies. 

The fourth part that I personally consider weighs more than the three. It, somehow, is intended to guide the reader on how they can enhance the productivity in their lives by using habit science.

Lesson learned from the book:

1.     All habits can be broken down through a consistent process: Many smokers,

alcoholics and addicts want to eradicate and turn into sober personalities. They might have attempted several times to break down the bad habits and form the good ones but, you know, it only sounds pleasant. Habits are systematic commands. They actually control us. If you really want to work with habits, you will have to fall into the process. Your resistance gets stronger enough to defeat your odds when you walk scientifically.

2.     “Cues” fall into one of the following five categories

a.     Location: Your cue may be a location that triggers you to perform an action.

b.     Time: You might be supposed to act because the time strikes you.

c.      Emotions: Emotional states may be leading you to fall into the trap of a bad habit loop.

d.     Other people: When you perform an action when some specific people are around or with you, it is often your social relationships.

e.     Last action: Sometimes we do something because we did something which has a collaboration with the upcoming action. If you can identify what leads you to act in a certain way, it is easy to break your habits down in order to create space for productive habits.

3.     Habits function in a loop: Scientifically, habits work in a loop. The loop involves

cue, craving, routine, and reward. Your control over any factor of a loop can authorize you to keep you from stumbling and manage your habits.

Craving begins to occupy space when you have frequently ascertained the pleasure of reward. Your mental activity increases during the initial exposure to a cue at the reward point. Once you have frequently won the reward, you begin to crave it whenever the same strikes you again.

4.     Planning leads to winning: “If you do not plan, you are planning to fail”. Planning is the ultimate solution to your every problem. When you exactly know what you would do in a certain situation, your winning possibility enhances. Planning to supervise your habits empowers you to manage to flee from the cage of habitual influence. Thus, grab a paper and start planning to act the way you want for a productive life.  

5.     Keystone habits have a great impact over other preceding habits because they

provide you small wins that develop curiosity inside you to perform other concerning actions.

6.     Willpower is the key to your triumph: Your willpower is your most effective, strengthening, propelling, and driving source. It keeps resonating with your missions and thus ensuring your success. People with great willpower are adored and idealized by a majority of strugglers.

Recommendations:

“The Power of Habit” was great exposure to learning the science of habits. It has dramatically changed my personal life. If you are affected due to bad habits or want to establish good habits, “The Power of Habit” is going to contribute to your life improvement and make you better version of yourself.