The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg – 2 Stars

The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg – 2 Stars

Title: The Power of Habit

Author: Charles Duhigg

Publisher: Random House

Year: 2012

Rating:  2 STARS

Price and Purchasing Options: This book will usually not be seen at most LDS retailer, but will be available at any other national book store.  Softcover through Amazon will be around $9, and this is also available as an audiobook through Audible if that is easier for you.

Review: I can keep this review short.  I originally got this book because this is a personal interest for me, and I know and appreciate the power of developing good habits towards my personal development.  As a student of psychology I was kind of excited about this book.

This book is focused on the power of developing habits, and a little bit about how to develop them through creating positive stimulus, or changing the surrounding stimulus in the action for change and reinforcement. 

The book is full of examples of where habit can change the outcome of events, and how habits can develop and change.  It is also discusses how marketing can pinpoint habits and capitalize on them, in an effort to change buying patterns.  This probably the most interesting application and consideration throughout the book.

The most problematic element of the book was the last third when they delved into a discussion between conscious habits, and unconscious habits in relation to accountability.  The author develops a conflict within his text only to passively resolve it – ultimately wasting his time and the readers time in bringing up things that were unnecessary. 

The worst part of the book, is its passive attempt at teaching any application.  The author discusses the importance of habits, and the science that habits have in determining out behavior, and the importance of habits; yet, he never actually discusses how to change habits (but only in a few passing comments).  Ultimately it makes this book useless in application.  The active reader will find it interesting, but unhelpful in actually changing anything.

Ultimately, I wouldn’t recommend this book for any LDS reader, or for anyone else.  I would actively avoid it.  However, it is two stars, because if you must read it… go a head.  It will be waste of time, but you might find something interesting.

Suggestions:  Read it if you must, but you don’t have to.

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Review #22

Tags: Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg, Business, Personal Development, 2 Stars, LDS Book Review, Ryan Daley