Do you have a friend who is diving deep into this New Year’s resolution business? With so many self-improvement books out there it is difficult to choose just one book to gift. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg is an amazing study into why humans do what we do and how we can change our patterns to change our lives. It just might be the secret sauce that will ensure your friend actually sticks to the plan. The book is absolutely fascinating as it shares study after study that reveal so much about human nature.
One study highlighted in the book involves some participants being asked to test their willpower by eating radishes instead of a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies. Others got to eat the cookies instead of the radishes. Gift your friend with some delicious cookies (and radishes) so they can recreate the study at home. The cookies featured here come from Melissa’s Simply Sweets. She is an amazing baker. Order a doz or more, and she’ll mail them to you. Click the cookie image for a link. I’ll leave you to pick up radishes at the grocery store.
Once the participants had tested their willpower (or not), they were asked to do an impossible puzzle. Those that had eaten the radishes gave up on the puzzle more quickly than those that had eaten their cookies. Suggesting that people have limited stores of will power. The puzzle pictured (and linked) here, isn’t impossible. It is stunning though.
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After the self-improvement kick is over, check out these books with characters (both real and imagined) striving for a better world. Look to be inspired!