The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do and How to Change

This is an excellent book that breaks down habits into the causes, the effects, and the abilities to change them. It provides numerous real life examples of how habits have helped people change their lives, and how habits have destroyed lives.

In addition to the causes and effects, it builds upon the message that habits can be changed. Better yet, it teaches you how to identify those habits AND how to change those habits for the better!

one example:
habit: you eat candy every day.
note: what happens right before you eat the candy?
result: you eat one every day at 10 am.
why?: it's likely you're hungry.
now what?: bring an apple to your desk. At 10 am, eat the apple. Same sugar fix, more filling and healthier option.
new habit: over time you'll stop going for the candy and start going for the apple.

This was an example from the book (summarized of course). Habits dont happen overnight. In fact, they can take months, or even years to implement. It is about sticking with those habits, analyzing the patterns from your bad habits and believing in yourself that you CAN change them!