--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But countless studies have shown that a…" description: "\"But countless studies have shown that a cue and a reward, on their own, aren't enough for a new habit to last. Only when your brain starts expecting th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/charles-duhigg-1088_accomplishment_but-countless-studies-have-shown-that-a_2431631.jpg" --- # But countless studies have shown that a cue and a reward… ![“But countless studies have shown that a cue and a reward, on their own, aren't enough for a new habit to last. Only when your brain starts expecting the reward--craving the endorphins or sense of accomplishment--will it become automatic to lace up your jogging shoes each morning. The cue, in…” quote by Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/charles-duhigg-1088_accomplishment_but-countless-studies-have-shown-that-a_2431631.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/charles-duhigg-1088_accomplishment_but-countless-studies-have-shown-that-a_2431631.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/charles-duhigg-1088_accomplishment_but-countless-studies-have-shown-that-a_2431631.jpg) > “But countless studies have shown that a cue and a reward, on their own, aren't enough for a new habit to last. Only when your brain starts expecting the reward--craving the endorphins or sense of accomplishment--will it become automatic to lace up your jogging shoes each morning. The cue, in addition to triggering a routine, must also trigger a craving for the reward to come.” [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Habits need a cue, routine, and a craving for reward to become automatic. **In simple terms:** Craving links cue to habit. Key Takeaway Create a rewarding craving. Themes habit formation psychology motivation Mood motivational practical Type self‑help educational When to use this quote - exercise routines - study habits - diet changes - productivity hacks Key Concepts behavioral loops neuroscience reward systems Questions to Reflect On - What reward can you associate with a new habit? - How can you strengthen the cue? A Different Perspective Craving may be hard to generate initially. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment/) [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Endorphins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endorphins/) [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Jogging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jogging/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) [New habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-habits/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Routine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/routine/) [Sense of accomplishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-accomplishment/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Triggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triggers/) ## Related quotes > [“your miles, or the endorphin rush you get from a jog). But countless studies have shown that a cue and a reward, on their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/your-miles-or-the-endorphin-rush-you-get-from-a-jog-but-countless/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“what draws us to act is not the sensation we receive from the reward itself, but the need to alleviate the craving for that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/what-draws-us-to-act-is-not-the-sensation-we-receive-from-the-reward/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“test subjects played a gambling game while Knutson and his team looked at which areas of their brains became more active. The startling results…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/test-subjects-played-a-gambling-game-while-knutson-and-his-team/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [Cravings are what drive habits. And figuring out how to spark a craving makes creating a new habit easier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/cravings-are-what-drive-habits-and-figuring-out-how-to-spark-a/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“New habits are sparked by external triggers, but associations with internal triggers are what keeps users hooked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/new-habits-are-sparked-by-external-triggers-but-associations-with/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [To learn new habits is everything, for it is to reach the substance of life. Life is but a tissue of habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/to-learn-new-habits-is-everything-for-it-is-to-reach-the-substance-of/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [The second step to achieving your goals in the New Year involves action and this is where many people run off track. The life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/the-second-step-to-achieving-your-goals-in-the-new-year-involves/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [To change one's life: a. Start immediately b. B. Do it flamboyantly c. No exceptions Never suffer an exception to occur till the new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/to-change-one-s-life-a-start-immediately-b-b-do-it-flamboyantly-c-no/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [God desires to change us from the inside out. Renewing our minds, starving our self-destructive tendencies, and teaching us to form new habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/god-desires-to-change-us-from-the-inside-out-renewing-our-minds/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [New habits can be launched.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/new-habits-can-be-launched/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [Never suffer an exception to occur till the new habit is securely rooted in your life. Each lapse is like the letting fall of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/never-suffer-an-exception-to-occur-till-the-new-habit-is-securely-2/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [In the acquisition of a new habit, or the leaving off of an old one, we must take care to launch ourselves with as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/in-the-acquisition-of-a-new-habit-or-the-leaving-off-of-an-old-one-we/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [“The thing about moving," he said, "is it's a good way to shake loose whatever old baggage you have, or the old things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-schuster/the-thing-about-moving-he-said-is-it-s-a-good-way-to-shake-loose/) Tara Schuster > [You make the choice for change more easily and readily each time as your conscious mind begins to reprogram your subconscious mind with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-sylver/you-make-the-choice-for-change-more-easily-and-readily-each-time-as/) [Marshall Sylver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-sylver/) > [Thirty days is just about the right amount of time to add a new habit or subtract a habit - like watching the news…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cutts/thirty-days-is-just-about-the-right-amount-of-time-to-add-a-new-habit/) [Matt Cutts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cutts/) ## More by Charles Duhigg > [“If you want to stop smoking, ask yourself, do you do it because you love nicotine, or because it provides a burst of stimulation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/if-you-want-to-stop-smoking-ask-yourself-do-you-do-it-because-you/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“What matters are five key norms,” he told the audience. Teams need to believe that their work is important. Teams need to feel their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/what-matters-are-five-key-norms-he-told-the-audience-teams-need-to/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [America has always had an apocalyptic strain. Yet it also seems to believe that if, or when, The End comes, it will still come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/america-has-always-had-an-apocalyptic-strain-yet-it-also-seems-to/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [Bromates are regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act, but officials are required to test for them only when water leaves a treatment plant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/bromates-are-regulated-by-the-safe-drinking-water-act-but-officials/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [America is the Saudi Arabia of coal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/america-is-the-saudi-arabia-of-coal/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“Habits, scientists say, emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort. Left”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/habits-scientists-say-emerge-because-the-brain-is-constantly-looking/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [Between calculated risk and reckless decision-making lies the dividing line between profit and loss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/between-calculated-risk-and-reckless-decision-making-lies-the/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [Older Americans are perfect telemarketing customers, analysts say, because they are often at home, rely on delivery services, and are lonely for the companionship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/older-americans-are-perfect-telemarketing-customers-analysts-say/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“All our life, so far as it has definite form, is but a mass of habits - practical, emotional, and intellectual - systematically organized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/all-our-life-so-far-as-it-has-definite-form-is-but-a-mass-of-habits/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“Someday soon, say predictive analytics experts, it will be possible for companies to know our tastes and predict our habits better than we know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/someday-soon-say-predictive-analytics-experts-it-will-be-possible-for/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“I love Paul O'Neill, but you could not pay me enough to work for him again" one official told me. "the man has never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/i-love-paul-o-neill-but-you-could-not-pay-me-enough-to-work-for-him/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“THE FRAMEWORK: • Identify the routine • Experiment with rewards • Isolate the cue • Have a plan”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/the-framework-identify-the-routine-experiment-with-rewards-isolate/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [Barium, which is commonly found in power plant waste and scrubber wastewater, has been linked to heart problems and diseases in other organs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/barium-which-is-commonly-found-in-power-plant-waste-and-scrubber/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [A movement starts because of the social habits of friendship and the strong ties between close acquaintances. It grows because of the habits of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/a-movement-starts-because-of-the-social-habits-of-friendship-and-the/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“In some sense, he said, a community was a giant collection of habits occurring among thousands of people that, depending on how they’re influenced,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/in-some-sense-he-said-a-community-was-a-giant-collection-of-habits/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) [Explore all 293 Charles Duhigg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) ## More Accomplishment quotes > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [To accomplish much you must first lose everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/che-guevara/to-accomplish-much-you-must-first-lose-everything/) [Che Guevara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/che-guevara/) > [One of the most important rules for success is this: Every great success is the result of hundreds and thousands of small efforts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/one-of-the-most-important-rules-for-success-is-this-every-great/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [For many of us, work is the one place where we feel appreciated. The things that we long to experience at home - pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlie-russell-hochschild/for-many-of-us-work-is-the-one-place-where-we-feel-appreciated-the/) [Arlie Russell Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlie-russell-hochschild/) > [Humility is an elusive virtue. The more we pursue it - and the more we seem to acquire it - the more we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-aquilina/humility-is-an-elusive-virtue-the-more-we-pursue-it-and-the-more-we/) [Mike Aquilina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-aquilina/) > [I'm not always right, but I learn from my mistakes and make it a productive experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-kolhoff/i-m-not-always-right-but-i-learn-from-my-mistakes-and-make-it-a/) [Carson Kolhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-kolhoff/) > [Suffering in life can uncover untold depths of character and unknown strength for service. People who go through life unscathed by sorrow and untouched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/suffering-in-life-can-uncover-untold-depths-of-character-and-unknown/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/there-is-no-limit-to-the-amount-of-good-you-can-do-if-you-don-t-care/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Research is the live heart of the scientific life ... Greatness of position, respect for past accomplishments, the Nobel Prize itself -- none of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivian-gornick/research-is-the-live-heart-of-the-scientific-life-greatness-of/) [Vivian Gornick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivian-gornick/) > [“One man accomplishment Is another mans failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-sargent/one-man-accomplishment-is-another-mans-failure/) Anthony Sargent > [I expected college to feel like a major accomplishment. I walked across the stage, eight months pregnant with my almost seven-year-old daughter watching in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-land/i-expected-college-to-feel-like-a-major-accomplishment-i-walked/) [Stephanie Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-land/) > [Our purpose on this earth is not one single event, an accomplishment we can check off a list. There is no test. No passing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-hand/our-purpose-on-this-earth-is-not-one-single-event-an-accomplishment/) [Cynthia Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-hand/) > [An untrained or uneducated Marine ... deployed to the combat zone is a bigger threat to mission accomplishment ... than the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/an-untrained-or-uneducated-marine-deployed-to-the-combat-zone-is-a/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) [Browse all 1,598 Accomplishment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "But countless studies have shown that a cue and a reward, on their own, aren't enough for a new habit to last. Only when your brain starts expecting the reward--craving the endorphins or sense of accomplishment--will it become automatic to lace up your jogging shoes each morning. 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