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A concise summary of Charles Duhiggs The power of habit-- in 30 minutes : a 30 minute expert summary.
Why does a company's shift in advertising transform a potential flop into a billion dollar industry? How does a CEO's decision to attack a single pattern among his employees turn one of the largest companies in America into a top performer in the Dow Jones? What was the path that led a small group of people to form the Civil Rights Movement?
In his best-selling book The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg, a business reporter for The New York Times, conveys his research in the fields of psychology and neuroscience to provide a scientific approach to understanding habits. The Power of Habit in 30 Minutes is the essential guide to creating change, breaking habits, understanding willpower, and comprehending the main ideas behind Charles Duhigg's best seller.
Drawing on illustrative case studies, the summary explains Duhigg's premise on how modification of the habit loop - a three-stage process of habit cues, routines, and rewards - can be a powerful force in effecting personal, organizational, and social change. Offering an overview of Duhigg's scientific investigations on the formation of habits, this concise executive summary highlights the essential points to breaking habits, and gives the reader the necessary tools for implementing successful change at both an individual and institutional level.
In his best-selling book The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg, a business reporter for The New York Times, conveys his research in the fields of psychology and neuroscience to provide a scientific approach to understanding habits. The Power of Habit in 30 Minutes is the essential guide to creating change, breaking habits, understanding willpower, and comprehending the main ideas behind Charles Duhigg's best seller.
Drawing on illustrative case studies, the summary explains Duhigg's premise on how modification of the habit loop - a three-stage process of habit cues, routines, and rewards - can be a powerful force in effecting personal, organizational, and social change. Offering an overview of Duhigg's scientific investigations on the formation of habits, this concise executive summary highlights the essential points to breaking habits, and gives the reader the necessary tools for implementing successful change at both an individual and institutional level.
52 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2012
55 people are currently reading
2950 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 2, 2019
I never realized how informative a summary could be until I read this compact version of Charles Duhigg's full-length novel. Good things come in small packages, after all. In simple language and patterns that were explained in laymen's terms, I learned how the patterns I've developed in life actually control my decision-making.
This knowledge was both scary and comforting. Knowledge is power, and understanding ourselves, as well as the patterns used against our own weakness, is exactly how we can regain that control. Whoever has the knowledge of our habits has the power over us. For example, we are shown how businesses grab out attentions with their products by understanding our spending habits. It's disconcerting to find that strangers may know us better than we know ourselves. But, by understanding these tricks of the trade, and ourselves, consumers can avoid being swindled.
Instead of feeling like slaves to our habits, we are shown that there are ways to alter our reactions. We can't change what we don't understand, but after this book, I feel like I understand myself better. That is an empowering thought, which is provided in this book’s summary.
This knowledge was both scary and comforting. Knowledge is power, and understanding ourselves, as well as the patterns used against our own weakness, is exactly how we can regain that control. Whoever has the knowledge of our habits has the power over us. For example, we are shown how businesses grab out attentions with their products by understanding our spending habits. It's disconcerting to find that strangers may know us better than we know ourselves. But, by understanding these tricks of the trade, and ourselves, consumers can avoid being swindled.
Instead of feeling like slaves to our habits, we are shown that there are ways to alter our reactions. We can't change what we don't understand, but after this book, I feel like I understand myself better. That is an empowering thought, which is provided in this book’s summary.
October 22, 2012
Habits make up much of our everyday behavior, but we don't have to be slaves to them. "The Power of Habit... in 30 Minutes" is a bite-sized compendium to Charles Duhigg's self-help guide that illustrates key points about the source of habits, their structure, and how we can manipulate them to our benefit. Using real-world examples, like a woman's gambling addiction, he illustrates how changing habits can have long-lasting positive effects.
We are programmed as creatures of habit thanks to the basil ganglia part of our brainstem making primitive decisions to save space and time. But we can "trick" ourselves out of self-destructive patterns by identifying the source of habits and enacting subtle changes. First, however, we must accept that we are capable of change and take personal responsibility for our actions.
As an off-and-on smoker this read gave me insight into what I can do to curve my own cravings-- going for a walk or drinking a glass of milk, for instance-- so that I might turn a negative stimulus into something beneficial. This is a great book for anyone intimidated by the prospect of change.
We are programmed as creatures of habit thanks to the basil ganglia part of our brainstem making primitive decisions to save space and time. But we can "trick" ourselves out of self-destructive patterns by identifying the source of habits and enacting subtle changes. First, however, we must accept that we are capable of change and take personal responsibility for our actions.
As an off-and-on smoker this read gave me insight into what I can do to curve my own cravings-- going for a walk or drinking a glass of milk, for instance-- so that I might turn a negative stimulus into something beneficial. This is a great book for anyone intimidated by the prospect of change.
July 30, 2013
Succinct and powerful read to get insight into the human mind and behavior. Read to understand
1) Purpose of habits
2) How you can change your habits
3) Importance of willpower
4) How willpower can be acquired
1) Purpose of habits
2) How you can change your habits
3) Importance of willpower
4) How willpower can be acquired
October 1, 2012
This is a summary of the book by Charles Duhigg, an investigative reporter for the New York Times.
The idea behind the book is not only about making personal changes in your life, but about how creating or breaking habits can be a positive force in shaping corporations, social movements, and government. Also, habits can be made and broken, you only have to believe you can do it to succeed.
The book demonstrates the “Habit Loop” which includes, cues, routines, and rewards which contributes to the creation of habits. The loop makes a lot of sense and it’s easy to understand.
Each chapter includes a “Big Idea”, a “Break Down” to better understand it, a summary of the chapter, and a “Key Points” box.
The book explains how habits work, how to create new ones, and how to add new routines to old cues and rewards to transform habits, and which habits matter the most (keystone habits). It then goes on to discuss willpower being the most important keystone habit, being able to learn it and make it a habit.
Another topic the book covers is creating habits as a result of crisis. Crisis gives us, organizations, businesses, the opportunity to change bad habits and transform into something better, productive, effective. The book also talks about how businesses must predict the habits of their consumers for marketing purposes.
The book explains that in rare cases, there are primitive forces at work that don’t allow us to control our habits, but for the most part, we are responsible for our habits and their outcomes and are able to change or transform our habits. The first step for creating change is believe you can.
Rounding the book out is an appendix that highlights some of the key points made in the summary.
I’ve never really thought much about this subject, but this summary really has me intrigued. I know I have a few bad habits I wouldn’t mind changing. After reading this book, I’d definitely consider reading the full length version.
If you’re thinking about buying the full length book yourself, I’d highly recommend this short summary. I’d also recommend it for anyone struggling with self-destructive habits such as alcoholism or gambling, or obsessive compulsive disorders. If you’re looking for a way to positively affect your business, community, or other organization through the power of habit, you may want to consider picking this up then think about buying the full length book.
The idea behind the book is not only about making personal changes in your life, but about how creating or breaking habits can be a positive force in shaping corporations, social movements, and government. Also, habits can be made and broken, you only have to believe you can do it to succeed.
The book demonstrates the “Habit Loop” which includes, cues, routines, and rewards which contributes to the creation of habits. The loop makes a lot of sense and it’s easy to understand.
Each chapter includes a “Big Idea”, a “Break Down” to better understand it, a summary of the chapter, and a “Key Points” box.
The book explains how habits work, how to create new ones, and how to add new routines to old cues and rewards to transform habits, and which habits matter the most (keystone habits). It then goes on to discuss willpower being the most important keystone habit, being able to learn it and make it a habit.
Another topic the book covers is creating habits as a result of crisis. Crisis gives us, organizations, businesses, the opportunity to change bad habits and transform into something better, productive, effective. The book also talks about how businesses must predict the habits of their consumers for marketing purposes.
The book explains that in rare cases, there are primitive forces at work that don’t allow us to control our habits, but for the most part, we are responsible for our habits and their outcomes and are able to change or transform our habits. The first step for creating change is believe you can.
Rounding the book out is an appendix that highlights some of the key points made in the summary.
I’ve never really thought much about this subject, but this summary really has me intrigued. I know I have a few bad habits I wouldn’t mind changing. After reading this book, I’d definitely consider reading the full length version.
If you’re thinking about buying the full length book yourself, I’d highly recommend this short summary. I’d also recommend it for anyone struggling with self-destructive habits such as alcoholism or gambling, or obsessive compulsive disorders. If you’re looking for a way to positively affect your business, community, or other organization through the power of habit, you may want to consider picking this up then think about buying the full length book.
September 18, 2012
THE POWER OF HABIT IN 30 MINUTES by Charles Duhigg
Review by Kevin S.
The Power of Habit in 30 Minutes is a brief and succinct condensed version of Charles Duhigg’s full length volume. The slim volume, that can, indeed, be gone through in less than thirty minutes, briefly breaks down each chapter as well as the major points of Duhigg’s main argument that habits cannot be eliminated but only changed. The guide covers Duhigg’s breakdown of what a habit is and how its cycle of cues, or triggers, routines, and rewards can be altered and re-shaped to form what the author refers to as “good” or “successful” habits.
The guide, also, covers Duhigg’s methodology, which is strictly approached from the view of Science and Science only. There are further explorations of Duhigg’s belief that habits are mere functions of neurobiology and that the more we understand neurobiology, the easier it will be for people to change certain habits.The guide explores certain organizational, societal, and individual examples of habits and how they seemingly were changed through reconditioning. The author also claims that important habits seem to be dependent on willpower and that willpower is not inherent but can be learned by anyone. For Duhigg, willpower is the key to individual and organizational ”.The guide effectively, if briefly, summarizes the full length book and an be productively used as an introduction to the arguments presented by Duhigg in his complete book.
Review by Kevin S.
The Power of Habit in 30 Minutes is a brief and succinct condensed version of Charles Duhigg’s full length volume. The slim volume, that can, indeed, be gone through in less than thirty minutes, briefly breaks down each chapter as well as the major points of Duhigg’s main argument that habits cannot be eliminated but only changed. The guide covers Duhigg’s breakdown of what a habit is and how its cycle of cues, or triggers, routines, and rewards can be altered and re-shaped to form what the author refers to as “good” or “successful” habits.
The guide, also, covers Duhigg’s methodology, which is strictly approached from the view of Science and Science only. There are further explorations of Duhigg’s belief that habits are mere functions of neurobiology and that the more we understand neurobiology, the easier it will be for people to change certain habits.The guide explores certain organizational, societal, and individual examples of habits and how they seemingly were changed through reconditioning. The author also claims that important habits seem to be dependent on willpower and that willpower is not inherent but can be learned by anyone. For Duhigg, willpower is the key to individual and organizational ”.The guide effectively, if briefly, summarizes the full length book and an be productively used as an introduction to the arguments presented by Duhigg in his complete book.
September 25, 2012
Sometimes I am skeptical of "summary" books, but this was a really good read. I picked up the Summary e-cook of Charles Duhigg's book The Power of Habits in 30 Minutes as a part of my ongoing journey this year to change my personal belief systems, and the current "reality" of my life. Most books that I've read on the subject of changing our beliefs or mindsets use stories from individual people as examples. Duhigg brought in evidence from major US corporations and government institutions, which are after all, masterminds at understanding individual habits on a large scale. I really appreciated all of the scientific evidence too, as I'm a little tired of the typical "evidence" in self-help books being contributed by names such as "Susan F" or "Larry D." Duhigg clearly went the extra mile in brining the research to the reader. Duhigg did not disappoint, nor did the reviewer who put together this very concise summary . This is a fantastic read for anyone interested in a deeper understanding of how habits are formed.bits, and by result, their realities.
January 6, 2013
This is not a self-help book but mostly delves into the why and how we form habits. Not too scientific and might even be a good supplement to read in a psychology or marketing class. Lots of anecdotes about companies and how they focus on the habits of people in order to sell/market their product. Interesting and quick read.
August 24, 2012
As noted in the title, habits have a powerful influence on all areas of your life. The Garamond Press provides a “SparkNotes” type, abridged summary of Duhigg’s book, The Power of Habit. Readers are provided with insights that can apply to personal relationships or business environments on how you can change your bad and/or ineffective habits. Duhiggs stated “You can’t extinguish a bad habit; you can only change it” and the book breaks downs the concepts that surrounds such change (how habits work, how to create new habits, predicting habits, etc.). The concepts are simple so anyone can relate.
However, since I did not read the complete book by Duhigg, this book inspired me to do so since the summaries are mere snapshots of the full chapters. Considering that each chapter in this book was only a couple pages long, the “Chapter Summary” and “Chapter Key Points” at the end of each were absolutely redundant. I also found that if I read only the Appendix and Conclusion first, then I would have received an even more condensed version of the both Duhigg’s full book and this one, without the redundancy.
Thus, I only recommend this book to any one who is currently reading Duhigg’s complete book (especially if studying it for school or work) and needs help understanding the major point of each chapter or to those who may not want to spend the time reading the complete book. To everyone else interested, I think it may be best to read the full book if you want to really grasp the examples used. For example, Chapter 8 is titled “Saddleback Church and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, How Movements Happen” – the summary in this book only discusses the Montgomery Bus Boycott so the reader is left perplexed about how the Saddleback Church is relevant. I can only imagine that the full work is not as repetitive as this one, since this book may have been created as supplement to the complete work
However, since I did not read the complete book by Duhigg, this book inspired me to do so since the summaries are mere snapshots of the full chapters. Considering that each chapter in this book was only a couple pages long, the “Chapter Summary” and “Chapter Key Points” at the end of each were absolutely redundant. I also found that if I read only the Appendix and Conclusion first, then I would have received an even more condensed version of the both Duhigg’s full book and this one, without the redundancy.
Thus, I only recommend this book to any one who is currently reading Duhigg’s complete book (especially if studying it for school or work) and needs help understanding the major point of each chapter or to those who may not want to spend the time reading the complete book. To everyone else interested, I think it may be best to read the full book if you want to really grasp the examples used. For example, Chapter 8 is titled “Saddleback Church and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, How Movements Happen” – the summary in this book only discusses the Montgomery Bus Boycott so the reader is left perplexed about how the Saddleback Church is relevant. I can only imagine that the full work is not as repetitive as this one, since this book may have been created as supplement to the complete work
January 3, 2014
Interestig researches and insights. Straight to the point. Easy and fun to read. Definitely more aware of how habit affects my life and trick of replacing it. Still trying to apply it in daily life tho.
Want to read
April 17, 2014 Recommended by a friend, I am not so interested in the business application as the effect on your personal life and habits. May skim over business chapters, just want to get some insight in how to change and make good habits. So far it is interesting.
December 27, 2020
It is short. Very short :) but explains all of the key points of information with crucial examples from the book. I am glad I read this. It saved me time while giving me a clear overview of what to expect from this book. It is definitely not a subsitute for the book but as the title suggests a (very short) summary.
July 6, 2018
Pretty nice summary. Will have to check if there is more practical advice on some of the chapters in the full book, but this definitely saved me quite a lot of time.
April 30, 2020
Glad I read this instead of the book. I believe it had everything that is required to know.
December 1, 2020
It saves me so much time. Will read the full version some other time.
January 26, 2024
The key to changing a habit is belief.
February 17, 2024
It's good
September 25, 2012
“The Power of Habit...in thirty minutes” is a quick and concise summary of the popular
book, “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg, which discusses in detail habits and
what every person should know about changing them. Supported by scientific studies,
this summary takes the reader on a quick tour of how the brain forms habits, different
types of habits, and concludes with how to change those habits. Small boxes of
information throughout the chapters and end of chapter key points summarize Duhigg’s
ideas and findings. Although some of the material seems speculative, it is delivered in a
conversational manner which allows you as the reader to actively participate and bring
your own habits to the table to examine. Introducing real life scenarios into each
chapter, the author writes the book in terms which everybody, from a new mother to a
CEO, can benefit. “The Power of Habit...in thirty minutes” is a powerful reminder of why
we as a society should take the time to examine our daily routines and ask ourselves
questions about those routines. From social change to personal change, primitive
habits to organizational habits, this book is a must read for anyone who wants to
exercise a little more mastery over their habit forming tendencies.
book, “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg, which discusses in detail habits and
what every person should know about changing them. Supported by scientific studies,
this summary takes the reader on a quick tour of how the brain forms habits, different
types of habits, and concludes with how to change those habits. Small boxes of
information throughout the chapters and end of chapter key points summarize Duhigg’s
ideas and findings. Although some of the material seems speculative, it is delivered in a
conversational manner which allows you as the reader to actively participate and bring
your own habits to the table to examine. Introducing real life scenarios into each
chapter, the author writes the book in terms which everybody, from a new mother to a
CEO, can benefit. “The Power of Habit...in thirty minutes” is a powerful reminder of why
we as a society should take the time to examine our daily routines and ask ourselves
questions about those routines. From social change to personal change, primitive
habits to organizational habits, this book is a must read for anyone who wants to
exercise a little more mastery over their habit forming tendencies.
September 14, 2012
A Quick and Comprehensive Summary
In this 30-minute summary book of The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, the author summarized how to acknowledge and gain power over our daily habits, which stems from the most primitive part of the human brain, the basal ganglion. There were many examples provided in the book that focused on Duhigg's idea of cues, leading to routine behavior, and thus reward of the triggered cues. Basically meaning, once we create a cue for something, it forces us to have a routine behavior in order to achieve the reward. Fascinating! There were even examples of habits within well-known businesses, such as Starbuck’s and Target.
Each chapter in this well organized and thought out summary, consists of the big idea, breaking down the big idea, chapter summary and key points. It was nice to have the important stuff from Duhigg's The Power of Habit broken down and made not only quicker to read, but easier to understand. I recommend this summary book for anyone who doesn't have time in the day to read whole books but who still wants to be familiar with best sellers.
In this 30-minute summary book of The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, the author summarized how to acknowledge and gain power over our daily habits, which stems from the most primitive part of the human brain, the basal ganglion. There were many examples provided in the book that focused on Duhigg's idea of cues, leading to routine behavior, and thus reward of the triggered cues. Basically meaning, once we create a cue for something, it forces us to have a routine behavior in order to achieve the reward. Fascinating! There were even examples of habits within well-known businesses, such as Starbuck’s and Target.
Each chapter in this well organized and thought out summary, consists of the big idea, breaking down the big idea, chapter summary and key points. It was nice to have the important stuff from Duhigg's The Power of Habit broken down and made not only quicker to read, but easier to understand. I recommend this summary book for anyone who doesn't have time in the day to read whole books but who still wants to be familiar with best sellers.
September 11, 2012
A perfect afternoon read; short, quick and straight to the point!
It very simply explains how habits, good and bad, can be altered to suit your desires, ultimately changing the outcome of your life. Since it´s short, it´s an easy read, and the concept is generally basic; the words and descriptions are easy to grasp, not getting lost in scientific jumble. The fast track version breaks down the main topics in the Charles Duhigg´s Bestseller, ultimately leaving you with only the facts and key examples of successful stories.
The best thing about this smaller, shorter, and right to the point summary, is of course the clarity and the breakdown of the big idea, basically the Habit Loop; Cue, Routine, and Reward. As a reader, I valued the examples that were in each chapter summary, ranging from personal, political and business, it really helps you to remember the methods that are used to properly transform the bad habit into a good one. Small wins lead to small advantages, that lead us to better opportunities.
It very simply explains how habits, good and bad, can be altered to suit your desires, ultimately changing the outcome of your life. Since it´s short, it´s an easy read, and the concept is generally basic; the words and descriptions are easy to grasp, not getting lost in scientific jumble. The fast track version breaks down the main topics in the Charles Duhigg´s Bestseller, ultimately leaving you with only the facts and key examples of successful stories.
The best thing about this smaller, shorter, and right to the point summary, is of course the clarity and the breakdown of the big idea, basically the Habit Loop; Cue, Routine, and Reward. As a reader, I valued the examples that were in each chapter summary, ranging from personal, political and business, it really helps you to remember the methods that are used to properly transform the bad habit into a good one. Small wins lead to small advantages, that lead us to better opportunities.
September 26, 2012
The book, “A Concise Summary of Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit…in Thirty Minutes” is a thorough summary of “The Power of Habit”. The book does a great job summarizing the important key points in each chapter and is loaded with examples on how habits are created and changed. In addition, the book scientifically explains habits and gives helpful ways to change them. To change a habit, one must know what is triggering the routine (the cue) and then change the reward associated with the habit. The best line in the book is, “You can’t extinguish a bad habit; you can only change it.” Once the reader grasps that concept, he may be able to change the habit. This book is a great aid in overcoming habits.
October 3, 2012
The Power of Habit… in 30 minutes is an informational summary of Charles Duhigg’s book. In this summary, the interesting topic of habits is explored, which affect areas of our lives such as shopping, working for/dealing with businesses, and societal and religious movements. We discover the ways that habits affect us and ways to change them, keeping in mind that belief plays an integral role in triggering change. Business tactics and the 70’s social rights movement also highlight the ways in which social habits determine outcomes. Given my time constraints, I find that reading summary editions proves to be an effective way to gather all the information I need in a limited amount of time.
September 26, 2012
If all books could be broken down into summaries like this one, I would buy them all! The layout of this book is phenomenal. Clear cut, concise chapters summarizing the bestselling book with a key points summary at the end of each chapter. For a person that is short on time, it’s a dream. The concept is simple – you can’t stop a bad habit but you can change it! The book follows along this simple rule and shows the reader how to include it in your everyday life. It’s certainly a new way to look at things for me and I can’t wait to start using it!
October 20, 2012
Straight and to the point...this version of the bestselling original is an eye opener that explains why do we do what we do when we know what we know. Employing examples of corporate consumer marketing at play like the power of the Cinnabon; the allure of Febreze. Habit is not accidental and by recognizing the triggers that keep us locked into old behaviors; change has a fighting chance. I loved the key points boxes at the end of each chapter and have recommended this as essential read with New Year's resolutions right around the corner!
March 11, 2013
The purpose of this book is too explain the brief concept in the original book : The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg. For that informative reason, this book owns. It really encourages me to read the original book.
August 8, 2014
I'm sure the full book would be more gripping. This provided a good cursory view of the material though and I do feel like I understand it all well enough. It wasn't as helpful as I had hoped but it was quick.
April 26, 2015
The thing that its author wants to tell us is simple : The habit circle . But I think sometimes the examples gived by author are cockamamie .
(I'm a non-native of English ,so ,I'm very thankful if you could tell me the grammar mistakes I made.)
(I'm a non-native of English ,so ,I'm very thankful if you could tell me the grammar mistakes I made.)
July 4, 2016
Detalla el cómo y porqué tenemos hábitos, buenos y malos. Cómo se generan y modifican. Detalla muchos casos de aplicaciones reales ligadas al marketing y sociedad.
Nota: 9.0 HL
Dificultad de lectura: Baja
Nota: 9.0 HL
Dificultad de lectura: Baja
April 8, 2013
The "Quicklet" version of 40 pages was great.
July 4, 2013
Decent read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews