Invisible desicions: "The Power of Habit"

“It must be true that the whole second half of a man’s life is most often made up only of habits accumulated during the first half.” 

– Fyodor Dostoyevsky, “Demons”

This week I’m looking at Charles Duhigg’s book, “The Power of Habit: Why We do What We do in Life and Business.” One of the things that stuck with me from this book is a story David Wallace told to a graduating class in 2005. Here is a paraphrased version of how it goes:  An older fish swims by two younger ones greeting them, “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” The two young fish swim on, until one turns to the other and asks, “What’s water?” 

Duhigg goes on to explain the significance of the story. “The water is habits, the unthinking and invisible decisions that surround us every day- and which, just by looking at them, become visible again.” Habits are very powerful forces in our lives for better or for worse. That’s why it is important to be aware of them and this book provides a pretty good manual. 

Duhigg focuses on what makes a habit by presenting the habit loop. It starts with a cue, triggering the behavior or routine, and ending with a reward. This cycle quickly forms into a habit. Duhigg goes on to prove how the loop works for products like Febreze or toothpaste. Duhigg also presents numerous scientific studies, ranging from research on rats to gamblers, recovering surgery patients and Olympians to make his points. 

This book is also very practical in explaining what works when trying to form habits. The model of the habit loop breaks down what needs to be changed in order to stop the routine. However, this book is not only an important read for someone who wants to build better habits or lose poor ones. Technology has used the habit loop as a tool against consumers. Duhigg examines how social media and large companies use psychology to create habits or addictions in their consumers. These companies have become so effective at using the habit loop that they modify our behavior all the time without us knowing. As a consumer, it is important to be aware of the behavior modification tools being used against you.

After reading this book it is easier to see the water, or habits that create our behavior. Changing habits is a very difficult process, but Duhigg offers some practical tips to start with. These are formative years in the first half of life and in many ways, the habits built now will determine the trajectory in the second half of your life.

By Sierra Lastine