Hello, Habits
A Minimalist's Guide to a Better Life
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- £8.99
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- £8.99
Publisher Description
The internationally best-selling author of Goodbye, Things shares insights and practices to help us embrace habits and become the best versions of ourselves.
Fumio Sasaki changed his life when he became a minimalist. But before minimalism could really stick, he had to make it a habit. All of us live our lives based on the habits we’ve formed, from when we get up in the morning to what we eat and drink to how likely we are to actually make it to the gym. In Hello, Habits, Sasaki explains how we can acquire the new habits that we want—and get rid of the ones that don’t do us any good.
Drawing on leading theories and tips about the science of habit formation from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and sociology, along with examples from popular culture and tried-and-tested techniques from his own life, he unravels common misperceptions about "willpower" and "talent," and offers a step-by-step guide to success. Ultimately, Sasaki shows how ordinary people like himself can use his principles of good habit-making to improve themselves and change their lives.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Sasaki (Goodbye, Things), founder of Minimal & Ism blog, offers a methodology for developing helpful, healthful habits in this handy guide. Sasaki defines habits as "actions that we take with barely a thought" that work through a cycle of trigger-routine-reward, maintaining the behavior by rewriting the nerve cells in the brain. He discusses how rewards are not just material things, but also the sense of satisfaction that comes from a mix of dopamine and stress-induced cortisol. Some of the most powerful rewards of habits take time, he argues, and one must maintain the habit for a long time before perceiving the full benefits. Sasaki breaks the intentional acquisition of a new habit into 50 steps, opening with severing ties with "vicious circles" and relying on life's natural turning points, such as moving homes or changing jobs, as well as psychological tricks like making a financial investment in one's intended habit (such as an amateur musician buying a nice guitar) and making starting targets very small. He finishes with habit-maintaining advice like gradually increasing challenges to avoid boredom and chaining new habits onto established ones. Readers who find establishing a routine frustrating will love Sasaki's methods.
