New York Times Reporter Explains How to Break Bad Work Habits

Charles Duhigg breaks down how habits work and what can be done to change them.


Many in the workforce may suffer career setbacks due to bad work habits. But as Charles Duhigg, author of the New York Times best-seller "The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life and Business," explains to U.S. News, destructive behaviors don't have to be a permanent fixture in your work life. Habits are driven by rewards, he notes. To change a habit, Duhigg says, "you really have to pay attention to what triggers that behavior and, most importantly, what reward it provides you."

During the discussion, Duhigg dished about how he refashioned some of his habits to become a more productive worker. But, as he points out, you shouldn't put a timeline on trouncing your toxic behavior.

"There's this sort of old wives' tale – it takes 21 days to change a habit. Unfortunately, there's no scientific evidence that's true," he says.