Book Review: The Power of Habit

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The Power of Habit: why we do what we do and how to change by Charles Duhigg

Review by Ben

This book claims that by understanding habits, and specifically changing your habits, you can transform your life and others’ around you. This is a bold claim. However, Duhigg expertly interweaves case studies from CEOs and Olympic athletes, breaking down what is meant by a ‘habit’ and by understanding them, showing you ways how you can change them. He hopes this will combat any struggles you have had previously regarding changing your lifestyle and making you the best possible version of you.

Duhigg’s book is both a popular science and life hacking book. This means it is surprisingly readable and does not feel like you are in a lecture. This is one of its strengths. Duhigg is a journalist by trade, and it shows, but in a good way. He masterfully embeds interviews with, for example a revolutionary CEO, into his chapters. It makes you feel that you are within the conversation.

For recognising and changing bad habits, the book proposes a simple formula – called ‘The Habit Loop’. By breaking down a habit into ‘Cue’, ‘Routine’ and ‘Reward’, Duhigg transforms a habit suddenly into words which remind us of books about time management. This is effectively because, as Duhigg reminds us, a habit is linked to the workplace as much as the to-do list is. It’s an easy-to-follow process at recognising and learning how to stop bad habits.

If you are looking for a quick read, and perhaps more of a clear-cut guidebook in time management, then this book may not be for you. This is a not a fault of the book per se, as personally I found its extended prose a strength; after all we all have different ways of processing information.

This book is great for students preparing for their final year. Look back on your previous years study – what went well, and what didn’t? This book will help you think reflectively and critically about efficiency and time. If nothing at all, enhancing your ability to think critically is brilliant.