The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and BusinessThe Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Score Modern
What it's about
Every habit is a loop of cue, routine and reward, Charles Duhigg explains, and understanding that loop is the key to changing it. Through stories of people, companies and movements, he shows how habits work and how to take control of them.
Why it's worth reading
It spent 311 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. It's one of the most influential books on habits ever written.
You'll love it if you liked
Atomic Habits
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Grit: The Power of Passion and PerseveranceGood to know
It's more story than self-help, with a practical guide at the end.
By the numbers
- Readers55 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller78 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #39 of the 85 self-help and business books we rank
- #445 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #856 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Practical
More by Charles Duhigg
If you like this, read next
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Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as If Your Life Depended on It
Greenlights
Tuesdays with Morrie
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday MachineExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Self-help and business booksTop 25 · 85 ranked
Modern booksTop 25 · 1,573 ranked
Books of the 2010sTop 25 · 736 ranked
Fantasy booksTop 25 · 459 ranked
Mysteries and thrillersTop 25 · 555 ranked
Literary novelsTop 25 · 309 ranked
Memoirs and biographiesTop 25 · 290 ranked
Science fiction booksTop 25 · 313 rankedQuick answers
Is The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business worth reading?
Yes. It spent 311 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. It ranks #856 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 74.4 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business about?
Every habit is a loop of cue, routine and reward, Charles Duhigg explains, and understanding that loop is the key to changing it. Through stories of people, companies and movements, he shows how habits work and how to take control of them.
How long does it take to read The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business?
About 8 hours (304 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business?
If you liked it, try Atomic Habits by James Clear, Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman or Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth.