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

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/books/the-power-of-habit-why-we-do-what-we-do-and-how-to-change/
- Published: 2021-05-27T09:55:39+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Award-winning _New York Times_ business reporter Charles Duhigg translates cutting-
edge behavioural science into practical self-improvement action, distilling advanced
neuroscience into fascinating narratives of transformation.**

Why can some people and companies change overnight, and some stay stuck in their
old ruts? The answer lies deep in the human brain, and _The Power of Habits _reveals
the secret pressure points that can change a life. 

**Rob Woods** of [Bright Spot](https://www.brightspotfundraising.co.uk/) sees practical
applications in this book for fundraisers. He highlights Duhigg’s notion of Key 
Stone Habits, “[the one or two habits](http://email.a.kajabimail.net/c/eJxljztuxCAYhE9jmgjE07AFxWaTSKlzgBU2vw3rByuDY_n2IV2kSNPN6JsZb32rJIqWU86o4ppqQbkgjHCjr683oy83zsS7Vo2kjkzu4bq4uDiTFQoK9qJV11EzMDe0PYDgjonODFyC8700Es02lPLMjbg2_KPqOA7SbXEMJT9TGfbVby7muI6kT2SfamKCE-eSVsChdpWMQzpwn_bZ4zPteM-AS4AFl4THrVp_GDiufVqgQhD8jrx7mOM3bOc9estNaxS_GKXQZsPsJqiX_g1AxX7FAi-fbw0XTGrdyh-j5F5P)
that have a positive effect on lots of other helpful behaviours”.

Of course, the best habits will differ according to which type of fundraising you
do. Woods recommends that for major donor, community and corporate fundraisers, “
one keystone habit that clearly stands out in the ultra-successful is a focus on
getting out of the office to have plenty of informal conversations (or ‘cups of 
tea coffee / tea’) with donors and potential donors”.

How do you make these key stone habits stick? According to Duhigg it is ‘belief’–
belief that they matter, that you can do them, and that the benefits will be worth
the effort.

One way of cementing that belief can be to join with others who share that habit
or focus. Duhigg says:

‘Belief is easier when it occurs within a community.’
Read Rob Woods’ [Key Stone Habits – how could you use them to grow fundraising income?](https://www.brightspotfundraising.co.uk/key-stone-habits-how-could-you-use-them-to-grow-fundraising-income/)

> “Plenty of business books that try to tap into the scientific world manage to 
> distil complicated research into readable prose. But few take the next step and
> become essential manuals for business and living. _The Power of Habit_ is an exception.”
> Andrew Hill, Financial Times