Book Review: The Power of Habit

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business written by Charles Duhigg is an easy and enjoyable read. It is full of engaging case studies, including the habits behind the success of popular businesses such as Starbucks and Target.

Wondering how AA helps alcoholics change their drinking habits or how to get more willpower? This book has the answers. The Power of Habit explains how habits work, how to change habits, and why changing can be such a struggle. I especially liked learning about how willpower can be strengthened and how we weaken it by overuse.

The Power of Habit delivers a positive message that all habits can be changed, failures or relapses are necessary parts of learning and changing. I have definitely found it to be true that planning how you will handle anticipated obstacles in the change process is a key part of successful change.

Be sure to read the Afterword and Appendix, too. Both have more helpful suggestions for change. I think you be both informed and entertained by The Power of Habit.

Dr. Sharon Martin, LCSW

Sharon Martin, a licensed counselor and psychotherapist in Northern California, specializes in helping adult children of alcoholics and others who struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, and self-criticism. She has a private psychotherapy practice in CA where she is available for online counseling. Sharon is also the author of The CBT Workbook for Perfectionism and write the blog Conquering Codependency for Psychology Today.