The Power of Habit - Deepstash

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Table Of Content

Table Of Content

  1. How Habits Work
  2. How to Create New Habits
  3. The Golden Rule of habit change
  4. The Keystone Habit
  5. The Habit of Success

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1. How Habits Work

1. How Habits Work

Habits can be changed if we understand their mechanisms.

The basal ganglia, a part of the brain, stores and executes our habits independently of other brain functions, allowing us to perform routines without conscious thought.

The Art of Habits (It's free)

The habit loop consists of three steps:

Cue, Routine, and Reward.

  • A cue triggers the habit,
  • The routine is the behavior itself, and
  • The reward reinforces the habit's value to the brain.

Importantly, the brain doesn't distinguish between good and bad habits; it maintains habits as long as they are rewarded.

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2. How to Create New Habits

2. How to Create New Habits

  • Habits are influenced by cravings, which drive the desire for rewards following cues.

Example: Feeling dirty teeth after eating creates a craving for the clean feeling from brushing.

  • Starting a new habit, like jogging, requires a clear cue (such as putting on sneakers before breakfast) and a rewarding outcome (like a sense of achievement or endorphin release).
  • To make a habit automatic, the brain must learn to anticipate the reward when the cue appears.
  • This anticipation cements the habit, ensuring it becomes ingrained in daily routines.

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3. The Golden Rule of habit change

3. The Golden Rule of habit change

  • If you keep the same cue and reward but change the routine, you can transform almost any behavior.
  • This principle has been effective in treating conditions like alcoholism and OCD.
  • To change a habit, identify the cue and reward, and substitute a new routine that provides a similar reward.
  • Changing beliefs is crucial for lasting habit transformation
  • Finding support through groups or mentors can reinforce these beliefs.
  • The process involves experimenting with different routines to identify cravings and rewards, then isolating the cue and creating a plan to implement the new routine consistently.

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4.The Keystone Habit

4.The Keystone Habit

  • Keystone habits are powerful routines that trigger widespread changes.
  • By focusing on a few key habits, rather than many small ones, you can achieve significant shifts.
  • For instance, tracking what you eat can lead to healthier eating habits.
  • Studies show families eating together improve children's academic performance.
  • These habits, like using an app daily, are easy but drive larger improvements over time, shaping personal or organizational culture positively.

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5. The Habit Of Succ

5. The Habit Of Succ

  • Building willpower into a habit involves pre-determining behaviors and following through consistently.
  • It's crucial for success, surpassing IQ in importance.
  • Those with strong willpower achieve better grades and spend less time on distractions like TV.
  • Treat willpower like a muscle—it strengthens with exercise but fatigues if overused.
  • Planning responses to challenging situations ahead of time conserves willpower and reduces emotional strain, making actions more automatic and energy-efficient.
  • Encouraging children to plan ahead nurtures confidence and self-control.

The Art of Habits (It's free)

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IDEAS CURATED BY

ajaymalhotra

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CURATOR'S NOTE

This book describes how habits work in our lives and how to make use of them. A lot of people have changed their lives by focusing on changing their habits.

Curious about different takes? Check out our The Power of Habit Summary book page to explore multiple unique summaries written by Deepstash users.

Different Perspectives Curated by Others from The Power of Habit

Curious about different takes? Check out our book page to explore multiple unique summaries written by Deepstash curators:

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