However, to modify a habit, you must decide to change it. You must consiously accept the hard work of identifying the cues and rewards that drive the habits' routines, and find alternatives. You must know you have control and be self-conscious enough to use it -- and every chapter in this book is devoted to illustrating a different aspect of why that control is real.

America is the Saudi Arabia of coal.

At some point, if you're changing a really deep-seated behavior, you're going to have a moment of weakness.

The cooperation of NASCAR - or any other system, it turns out - persists only when everyone believes he has the opportunity to win.

It is facile to imply that smoking, alcoholism, overeating, or other ingrained patters can be upended without real effort. Genuine change requires work and self-understanding of the cravings driving behaviours.

I think I'm smart, and I know I was a good mom. But there wasn't a lot I could point to and say, that's why I'm special.

This is the real power of habit: the insight that your habits are what you choose them to be.