Are you fascinated by how the human brain works? I'm obsessed with books about the brain - specifically how do I hack my brain to live the life I want to live instead of wasting it on social media? One of my goals this year is live life with intention, and this book is perfect for evaluating the habits that hold me back (or propel me).
Duhigg examines both anecdotes and scientific studies to highlight the effects of habits. Habits are like the autopilot feature for our lives. Habits will make or break a person, but most of us don't even pause to think about them. It is FASCINATING. Habits occur in the "Habit Loop:" there's a cue, routine, and reward. Identifying each component of a habit gives you the power to alter the loop. What is the craving? What is the habit? What is the reward?
What is one habit that would dramatically change your life for the better? Duhigg refers to these habits as keystone habits. 1 habit that has an effect on the whole. For example, when Paul O'Neill became CEO of Alcoa, he announced they would be focusing on the habit of safety. Shareholders freaked out because it wasn't what they were expecting. How is safety going to make them more money? However, safety was a keystone habit that transformed the company by increasing employee safety (and satisfaction) thus increasing profitability by decreasing workman's comp claims. As old, dangerous equipment was replaced, quality sky-rocketed. As employees learned to communicate on-site dangers and problems, communication flourished and, in turn, increased efficiency.
Duhigg also examines will power and the habits associated with it. As it turns out, willpower is a finite commodity. If we use it all up early in the day, we are vulnerable to poor decisions later. This is of particular interest as a veterinarian. I used to feel all my decision making power was consumed by work and frequently made poor eating decisions because I just couldn't find the willpower to eat healthy. This where habits come in to play. If you develop the right healthy habits, you don't have to use will power. You just follow the habit.
This book is chalked full of meaty, science on the formation and power of habits...but devotes less time to the practical tips of changing your habits. The appendix is devoted to how to do you own mini-study of your habits. What's the cue routine, and reward of your habit? I printed it off to start examining my own bad habits (particularly my stress eating and my "Add to Cart" habits).
Overall, I give this one a 4/5. I have the Audible version and it was fun to listen to this one while working out or cleaning. If you like reading about habits, but want a more practical book Atomic Habits is another great book to read.
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