How to Kick Bad Habits (and Start Good Ones)

In this ground-breaking book, Katy Milkman reveals a proven path to help readers move from where they are to where they want to be. Drawing on her original research and the work of her world-renowned scientific collaborators, Milkman shares strategic methods for identifying and overcoming common barriers to change, such as impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. The book offers innovative approaches like 'temptation bundling,' using timely reminders, and creating 'set-it-and-forget-it systems' to make change more achievable. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring solutions to specific roadblocks and using science to stack the deck in favor of successful change.

In 'Good Habits, Bad Habits,' Wendy Wood draws on three decades of original research to explain the fascinating science of how we form habits. The book highlights that nearly half of our daily actions are automatic and not conscious choices, but rather the result of our non-conscious mind. Wood argues that willpower alone is inadequate for making positive changes and instead offers practical strategies based on neuroscience, case studies, and experiments. She explains how our brains respond to rewards, receive cues from our surroundings, and shut down when faced with too much friction. The book provides a detailed look at the three bases of habit formation: context, repetition, and reward, and offers practical advice on how to form better habits and make lasting positive changes.