It’s a bold statement to say that a book has changed your life. Instead, I’ll say that this book has been one of the many influences that have created a shift in my mindset.
I read several self-help books as a teenager but found most of them repetitive and full of cliches. Instead of learning new skills, I felt more like I had paid for a book of common sense. Common sense that I already had.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
I read this book during the summer this year. It’s a little different from the other books I’ve read, it focuses on habits – why we do what we do and how to change.
The book starts with the story of Lisa Allen, a 34-year-old woman whose husband had just left her for another woman. She was overweight, drinking, smoking and in debt. She then transformed her life, she quit smoking, became a marathon runner, bought her own house, started a master’s degree and remarried. All this because she changed one keystone habit – smoking.
The book goes through the ways in which habits are formed, and how to form new habits.
My favourite lesson from the book is keystone habits. The idea behind this is that by creating one new habit, other things fall into place. The result can be life-changing.
For example, exercising once a week could, in turn, encourage you to eat better, then drink less, then lose weight.
“Typically, people who exercise start eating better and become more productive at work. They smoke less and show more patience with colleagues and family. They use their credit cards less frequently and say they feel less stressed.”
The book includes scientific studies, how a clever advertising campaign made Febreeze a household name, the story of Eugene, a man who lost his memory following an illness and how a the CEO of a company increased profits by focusing on one thing – safety.
For those have you that have read this blog for a while, you’ll already know that I quit smoking in October 2013. Since then, I’ve run three 10km races, I eat healthily and exercise almost daily.
This wasn’t always how my life was, though. Going back a few years, I could easily drink a bottle of wine a day while chain-smoking, whether socialising with my friends or on my own in my room.
I would wake up the next morning, feel my kidneys ache in my lower back and say ‘I’m not going to drink or smoke for the rest of this week’. I would then drive to work, find myself lightening up cigarettes at the usual points of my journey and find a bottle of wine in my hand on the way home from work.
I never really got out of that whole student lifestyle routine. For whatever reason, I could not seem to pull myself out of it.
If you go back a few years further, you’ll notice that my life has always been fuelled by some sort of addition. Whether the addiction is food, losing weight, starving, puking, smoking, drinking or spending – there’s just always something.
In short, I’ve never been very good at looking after myself.
As I mentioned in the opening of this post, this book was one of the many things that gave me a brutal shove in the right direction.
By focusing on one thing: being strong and having muscle tone – I’ve managed to change the way I treat my body and the way I live.
Now, I exercise almost daily, run a few times a week, I eat well, I hardly ever drink and I don’t smoke. I also finished paying off my credit card bill this month. For the first time in years – apart from my student loan, I have zero debt.
I’ve found a new habit that is quickly becoming an addiction. Yoga.
Although I don’t have the perfect yoga body, I can’t do the splits and I can barely touch my toes, I’ve been finding yoga is a way to uplift myself, a way to become strong, improve flexibility and release stress. When I find myself feeling restless, instead of getting a glass or wine or a packet of crisps, I search for one of the thousands of yoga videos on YouTube and give it a go. Even if I’m clumsy, fall over and can’t stretch all day down, I always tell myself:
I come to my mat to practise yoga, not do yoga.
Because of these changes, I find myself more productive at work, I sleep better, feel less tired, have less down days and have a much more positive outlook on life.
Hopefully, in a few months, I can posts photos of me doing headstands and bending my legs in bizarre ways. For now, you just get the basic moves. 😉
So tell me, what new habits do you want to create?
Have you read The Power of Habit? Do you enjoy books on lifestyle changes?
This book sounds great I will defo have to give it a go x
Ooh must pick this up and give it a read! xx
Sounds great!
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
♡♡♡
There are some habits that I would love to break and some good ones I’d like to start by being healthy and doing yoga! Thanks for this post! xxx
Absolutely wonderful post, really inspiring and exactly how I’m feeling at the moment. That book is definitely my next book buy.
Jane x
Great moves and it looks like it will take away stress I need to try it out for myself. Nice job.
this book sounds really interesting!!
I always feel a bit clueless when it comes to picking the right self help book. This book sounds relatable and think this will help a lot in busting some bad habits and achieving goals I’ve been meaning to forever, just in time to start the new year. Great post 🙂
Thanks – hope you get hold of the book and have a read.
Sounds incredible! Congrats on quitting smoking too 🙂 x x
http://www.beyondthevelvet.blogspot.co.uk
I really need to own this book.
Love ur mat! Will check this book ^^
xoxo
Novelstyle
Thank you for the book recommendation! And great job on making such significant life changes 🙂
This sounds so helpful, I totally agree with most books being repetitive, it is amazing how 1 change can snowball into many x
aforvogue
NEWPOST
seems like an amazing book, thanks for the details:)
Konstantina | THE GIRL WITH THE DREAMCATCHER TATTOO
( IG : @Konstantina.A
While I love reading, I have never been a fan of self help books. Just couldn’t finish reading any of it. After a couple of pages, my eyes just glaze over and zzzz. It’s horrible and I should really try but it’s just not for me. :-/
Reflection of Sanity
This one is a bit different and comes across more of a book about human nature, than a book about self help.
I read the Power of Habit last year and I thought it was amazing! Congratulations on making a healthier lifestyle for yourself. I had a human development professor in college say that some people just have addictive personalities and need to find someone healthy to be addicted to. Well, I think yoga is just about the healthiest thing you can be addicted to, so good for you!
I really do agree with that – it’s so easy for me to become addicted and obsessed with things. Clever professor!
I love such a self-help books! It’s really interesting for me. Thanks for sharing Corinne!
http://fairyland111.blogspot.com/
I love hearing about books that make an impact on people’s lives. Your story is so inspiring! I’ve been reflecting on my own bad habits and the changes I need to make, so I’ll definitely check out this book 🙂
That’s great, do let me know how you get on.
i’ll definitely look up this book!
from helen at thelovecatsinc.com
I’d love to start doing yoga – might be my resolution for next year.
Lizzie’s Daily Blog
Do it, there’s loads of videos on youtube and some are only 10 mins long.
What was with the random movie of the year at the end?!
I agree that changing one habit can lead to others changing. By starting a blog I wish to be more organised which will lead to be getting up earlier, being more productive and doing more with my time. I’ve started writing regular to-do lists so I’m getting there!
That’s great! Blogging has helped me with organising my time etc too.
what an interesting post! It really is interesting how one habit-good or bad- can be a catalyst for other habits to follow. Like smoking can lead to other bad habits while exercising can lead to really good habits! I’m glad you’re on the track to a healthier you! 🙂
Olivia | Her Name Was Celebration
I’m glad too 🙂
Thank you for sharing this! I like the concept of changing of one habit, and how that would snowball into changing others as well. That’s a pretty powerful concept.
It works! Try it 🙂
I have heard of this book, I really want to read it
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
I read that book and loved it!!! It is so inspirational! After finishing you feel like you could accomplish anything!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
I’m glad you enjoyed it too 🙂
Might have to give this book a go 🙂 i don’t know what habit i’d change though, I don’t smoke or drink that much, like maybe one or two drinks every couple of weeks – weird for a student haha! I think atm I’m so busy focusing on my course though I’m ok with how my life is 🙂 although I do want to start yoga, and that little mantra is great! x
Ha, I didnt’ drink at lot in my first year of uni, but my second and third I was basically always drunk.
This sounds like such an interesting book, I’m definitely going to look into getting it! Hope you’re having a good day 🙂
Hannah x
Hanniemc.co.uk
The power of changing little things can make a big difference. I often get overwhelmed by the thought that I have lots to do. If you break it down it becomes easier to change Lucy x
Yeah, it totally can! I think too many people try to completely change everything all at once!
Great book ! I must try yoga 🙂
Yoga is on my list for next year – it;’s exactly the kind of thing I’m terrible at but I aint getting any younger so any extra flaxibility/strenght isn’t just going to magically happen….!
This is so true just two weeks ago I started eating healthily and so many other aspects of my life have already started to fall into place. Im the happiest I’ve been all year and that’s after just two weeks practising a new habit! xx
everyone says thats a great book
check out todays blogmas
xx
Tyana
theluxedition.blogspot.com
Good on you for quitting smoking. I have always wanted to try yoga too..
xx
Thanks. You should try it – there are loads of short videos you can do online!
I absolutely love self help book ands anything to improve myself! I have seen this a few times but never brought it, I think I might now though! I wrote a post about all the books that have helped me here and Sophia was on that list too! I love #girlboss that you stated in another post!