Sorry Force Of Habit Essay

A common saying among people is “Sorry, force of habit.” Habits are often considered entities beyond human control, a characteristic unknowingly developed over time. What may surprise people is that habits play a defining role on their lives. They are not magical forces that reveal themselves over time, rather scientifically tested aspects of human psychology, which can be manipulated and verified. In his book, “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business,” author Charles Duhigg explains the formation and manipulation of habits across human society, ranging from the individual to entire groups. He does so through presenting various examples of habits in humans, such as former addicts, prominent businessmen, and seemingly ordinary …show more content…
In the prologue of his book, Duhigg asks his readers about their morning routine, “Did you hop in the shower, check your email, or grab a doughnut from the kitchen counter? Did you brush your teeth before or after you toweled off...” (Duhigg) The list goes on into a never-ending series of miniscule choices, which seemingly influence an entire lifetime. Habits can range from choices such as these, being an optimist or pessimist, or sleepwalking. They are all a result of the “habit loop,” a three-step process involving a cue, routine, and reward. As the author states, “Over time, this loop… becomes more and more automatic.” One does not need to concentrate on walking, chewing, or reading when performing these actions. They have become habits engrained in the majority of peoples’ minds, specifically controlled by the basal ganglia. As such, the energy of the brain not allocated to habitual tasks is able to be used for more advanced purposes, such as logical thinking, improving a skill, or even building new habits. Habits established over time are evidently useful; though their formation must he understood to prevent the mind wandering around unimportant tasks. Rather than a person cluttering their mind with thoughts of working out, a more efficient method is to overcome the initial challenges to create a habit. After the habit is formed, returning to the gym daily …show more content…
Rarely do people posses the natural drive to eat healthy everyday, rather the opposite. As the author states, a habit can never truly be extinguished once it forms, it is a part of the subconscious. Duhigg states, “The problem is that your brain can’t tell the difference between bad and good habits, and so if you have a bad one, it’s always lurking there, waiting for the right cues and rewards.” (Duhigg) Most people are simply not aware of the habits which they forms as time passes, and so they will often feel helpless in attempting to change them. As previously stated, habits are important and helpful in leading a productive life, preventing the need to learn how to drive everyday. Though without the correct control and maintenance, most habits will manifest themselves into the creation of negative results. When these habits are left uncontrolled, a person’s limited willpower must be used to keep their effects at bay. The author explains willpower as a “keystone habit,” defining it as an overarching habit, which in turn produces a series of positive ones. The key is to make willpower, a positive habit, and automatic function in the brain. By doing so, a person can establish a generally positive lifestyle without constant effort. The