Charles Duhigg The Power Of Habit

All of us have formed habits in our daily life. Even though some of these habits only exist in our subconscious and we cannot actually make sure whether they are real or only the conjectures. But it is undoubted that all of our behaviors are influenced by our desires on specific objectives. In the book, the power of habit, Charles Duhigg explained the definition of a habit as an effort-saving instinct. “When a habit emerges, the brain stops fully participating in decision making” (20). To support his opinions on habits, he introduced the three-step model of a habit loop, the theory of golden rule of habit, and the role of a craving brain and belief in the process of a habit changing. Through learning

In the book “The Power Habit,” the author is talking about a woman named Angie Bachmann who was a housewife and who used to clean her home when her husband and kids would be gone during the day until one day she decided that she will change her life totally. Bachmann once sitting at home started to think that she should find something to enjoy her day just like her husband and kids. She wanted to have a story to tell her family at night. Bachmann instead of thinking about doing something good and productive, she chose a wrong path that ruined her life totally. Bachmann chose casino over all the other work because she thought that casino might make her feel good. Angie Bachmann is responsible for her gambling debts because she chose to make her own decision and not stop gambling, even though she knew she is putting herself in trouble.

“The Habit Loop” written by Charles Duhigg explores habits being subconsciously emitted within the brain causing actions to happen without thinking about it or even remembering how to do it. Eugene Pauly suffered from viral encephalitis of which left a hole in his brain, leaving his memory to deteriorate over time. Eugene's memory got worse and worse until he could barely remember anything that had happened 20 seconds ago. Although his memory was disappearing, Eugene could still carry out tasks such as eat or use the restroom, but when asked to explain how he does it, he can not tell you. Habits were embedded into his brain letting him survive merely on instinct rather than memory. Eugene could leave the house and walk up and down streets

According to F.M. Alexander, "people not decided their future, they decide their habits, and these habits decide their future". A habit is a learned behavior repeated regularly, requiring small or no reasoning. Habits are created, are not obtained by inheritance, habits can transform themselves in needs. In addition, habits are not unique to people, organizations, to be made up of people, have habits also. There are right, and wrong habits; right habits normally are called as virtues, and wrong habits are called as vices. Undoubtedly, virtues must be constantly reinforced; on the other hand, vices must be rebuilt step by step, and convert them into virtues. In “The Power of Habit”, Charles Duhigg manages to reveal with great clarity how the different phases of the cycle of habits are conformed; how wrong habits can be reconstructed, and transformed to allow the growth of both, individuals and organizations. Through the use of various cases, Duhigg manages to explain how to transform wrong habits by focusing on the phase of the habit that need to be rebuilt. The author explains how people can fail to be slaves to the "customs", and as to regain control, either of their lives or their Organizations.

The Power of the Habit in chapter 3 by Charles Duhigg, argues that habits cannot be erased; they must be replaced. The Golden Rule of habit change is to keep the cue, keep the reward, but change the routine. Football coach Tony Dungy simplified and programmed his team’s formations by removing thinking time and shaving milliseconds off of the team’s game-playing routine. He left the same cue which is the start of each play and the reward; victory, in place. Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous came across this formula for habit change as well. He was able to quit drinking by responding to the cues of anxiety with social interaction rather than drinking to achieve the same reward. Whether the goal is sobriety, athletic victory or

In The Power of Habit, author Charles Duhigg puts an emphasis on habits-their inner workings and how they can be changed. Duhigg describes how habits work through the cycle of cue (trigger that activates a habit), routine (action of habit), and reward (aspect in which the brain determines if the habit is worth it). Particularly in Chapter 9 of the book, Duhigg details the descent of a woman called Angie Bachmann from being a bored housewife to losing all her money through compulsive gambling. Harrah’s Entertainment, the casino where Bachmann played Blackjack and lost every bit of her money, sued Bachmann, “demanding that she pay her debts” (269 Duhigg). Every time Bachmann steps in a casino activates a cue within her brain, which she automatically performs her routine of playing Blackjack thinking that she might win as a reward. Chapter 9 further discusses the extent of Bachmann’s responsibility of her actions since she was fully aware of her actions and she had the responsibility to change which she did not. Although Bachmann argued that she was acting per Harrah’s manipulations, she is still responsible because Harrah’s actions were legal, she did not get treatmeAdvance

But we are all creatures of habit. And unfortunately, many of those habits are not best suited for us.

Taking higher level courses can require plenty of studying, therefore we need to learn faster and efficient ways to retain our information. I always study for all of my courses, and I study in the afternoon. I find myself studying through repetition and rehearsal, and I study whenever I possibly can.

Habits formed as a child are hard to break in adulthood because these habits and memories have become part of the

The stickiness of our habits is imprinted in the neural networks in our brains. Each time we act according to an old pattern, we reinforce a neural network and the stickness of the habit. Our brains are efficient at developing habits, but breaking them isn't so easy

Growing accustomed to the things that one sees on a daily basis can be thought as as boring and often the use of these things can be forgotten. For example, students will look at a pen or a pencil as a writing utensil that they use daily and can often forget the mind blowing use it possesses. Instead of looking at it as something that is small and has ink or lead that works and follows the motions to write words, it is just something they grab for and use; this is the same mindset that one often has when it comes to their daily surroundings. When someone has a daily routine they walk the same routes, performing the same tasks as they do and do not stop to just take in the world around them. In Alain de Botton’s essay “On Habit”, he discusses this topic and his personal experiences with it. Upon returning from a trip, de Botton had to train his mind and attitude to be more appreciative and open to the city which he calls his home. Getting this idea and trying it out after being inspired by another author’s work, de Botton set out on an experiment to see if it is possible to change how one views the world around them. Although it may appear difficult, it is possible to change how one views the world around them by changing one’s own mindset and attitude, being open and also being observant.

Life can be challenging sometimes. As we grow we might make some good decisions or some bad. Making healthy choices can drive an individual into healthy habits. These habits might be a problem though and lead an individual to being obsessed about. It can control his or her life. While some individuals might control his or her healthy habits in a good way. In this reflection paper for week three, the reader will get to understand how I myself Carlene Marable stays healthy with my habits.

Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest

As you move towards building habits and beliefs that you want in your life, it helps to have your subconscious mind on board to adopting them. If it can store the data you need, then soon the habits and beliefs that you want to master will become an automatic part of your day and a part of who you are and what you do.

Good Habits: Every time you attempt to change a bad habit or try to replace it with a good one, remember that it should not be annoying. For example, if you excessively like to play video games and you want to change it, change it with listening to music, it will help you to overcome the