Submitted By: Imran Khaled
Profession/Background: Office Assistant
Book Title: The Power of Habit
Author: Charles Duhigg
Before Reading the Book:
My days used to blend together—wake up late, rush to work, slog through the hours, come home tired, binge-watch something, and repeat. I knew I wasn’t living intentionally. I had dreams of becoming a more organized, driven, and healthy version of myself. I wanted to exercise daily, wake up early, build a side hustle, and be more present in my relationships. But I couldn’t seem to stick to anything. Every new goal faded after a few days. I thought I had no discipline. That something was wrong with me.
Deep down, I was frustrated. How could I crave change so badly but never make it stick? I blamed laziness, lack of motivation, or bad luck. What I didn’t know back then was that my life was being silently shaped by habits I didn’t even realize I had.
Discovering the Book That Changed Everything:
One night, while scrolling through book recommendations on Reddit, I saw someone mention “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg. The comment said, “This book didn’t just help me understand my habits—it helped me rebuild my life.” That was exactly what I needed.
I ordered it immediately. The yellow cover with the wheel of habit looked simple, but what was inside changed everything.
After the Book:
By the time I was halfway through “The Power of Habit”, my mindset had already shifted. Duhigg breaks down how habits work: cue, routine, reward. That one loop explained so much of my daily behavior. I began seeing my actions as patterns—not character flaws.
For instance, I used to grab a chocolate bar every afternoon at work. I thought I just loved sweets. But after reading the book, I paused and examined the loop. The cue was the 3 PM energy dip. The routine was walking to the vending machine. The reward wasn’t even the chocolate—it was a five-minute break and chatting with a colleague. That blew my mind.
I replaced the routine. Now, when that 3 PM dip hits, I take a quick walk and drink cold water while talking with a coworker. The craving vanished. It wasn’t about discipline. It was about design.
The Transformation:
I started becoming a student of my own habits. I set up tiny, new routines and replaced old ones. I didn’t try to overhaul everything. I just focused on one habit at a time. First, I fixed my bedtime. Then I created a simple morning ritual: wake up, stretch, drink water, and journal for five minutes.
This led to a snowball effect. I stopped snoozing. I started eating better—not because of willpower, but because I built systems that made good choices easier. I even set a “no-phone zone” during meals to be more present with my family.
The real transformation came when I used Duhigg’s insights to build a side hustle in productivity coaching. I realized many people struggled just like I did. I started sharing tips online, and soon, people were reaching out. Today, I help others break bad habits and build better ones—something I never imagined I could do.
My Favorite Line & How It Helps Me Every Day:
“Change might not be fast and it isn’t always easy. But with time and effort, almost any habit can be reshaped.”
This quote keeps me grounded. Whenever I feel like I’m slipping, I remind myself that change is a process, not an event. It’s okay to stumble. What matters is recognizing the habit loop and making tiny adjustments. This mindset helped me be patient with myself, and that made all the difference.
To Anyone Considering This Book:
“The Power of Habit” is not just a book—it’s a blueprint for transforming your life. If you’ve ever felt stuck, undisciplined, or frustrated with yourself, this book will show you that it’s not about who you are—it’s about what you do repeatedly. It turns the invisible force of habit into something you can control, shape, and even use to your advantage.
Whether you want to get fit, build a business, improve your relationships, or just feel more in control of your time—this book is your first step. It’s science-based, easy to follow, and filled with real-life stories that make it powerful and relatable.