When a habit emerges, the brain stops fully participating in decision making. It stops working so hard, or diverts focus to other tasks. So unless you deliberately fight a habit -- unless you find new routines -- the pattern will unfold automatically.

Belief is easier when it occurs within a community.

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

Habits, scientists say, emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort.

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

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.

There’s something really powerful about groups and shared experiences. People might be skeptical about their ability to change if they’re by themselves, but a group will convince them to suspend disbelief. A community creates belief.