--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Habits, he noted, are what allow us to…" description: "\"“Habits, he noted, are what allow us to “do a thing with difficulty the first time, but soon do it more and more easily, and finally, with sufficient p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c2/charles-duhigg-1088_first-time_habits-he-noted-are-what-allow-us-to-do_1146934.jpg" --- # Habits, he noted, are what allow us to “do a thing with… ![“Habits, he noted, are what allow us to “do a thing with difficulty the first time, but soon do it more and more easily, and finally, with sufficient practice, do it semi-mechanically, or with hardly any consciousness at all.” Once we choose who we want to be, people grow “to the way in which they…” quote by Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c2/charles-duhigg-1088_first-time_habits-he-noted-are-what-allow-us-to-do_1146934.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c2/charles-duhigg-1088_first-time_habits-he-noted-are-what-allow-us-to-do_1146934.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c2/charles-duhigg-1088_first-time_habits-he-noted-are-what-allow-us-to-do_1146934.jpg) > ““Habits, he noted, are what allow us to “do a thing with difficulty the first time, but soon do it more and more easily, and finally, with sufficient practice, do it semi-mechanically, or with hardly any consciousness at all.” Once we choose who we want to be, people grow “to the way in which they have been exercised, just as a sheet of paper or a coat, once creased or folded, tends to fall forever afterward into the same identical folds.”” [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 form through repeated practice, making actions easier and eventually automatic, shaping our identity like a permanent crease. **In simple terms:** Repeated practice makes actions automatic and shapes identity. Key Takeaway Cultivate good habits deliberately. Themes habit formation identity automation self‑development Mood reflective motivational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - learning new skills - building routines - personal change - overcoming bad habits Key Concepts Neuroscience behavioral psychology habit loop Questions to Reflect On - How can you break an unwanted habit? - What new habit aligns with your desired self? A Different Perspective Habits can become rigid, limiting flexibility and growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [First time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-time/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Habits Noted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits-noted-3224142/) [People Grow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-grow/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Way Exercised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-exercised-3224143/) ## Related quotes > [“Keystone habits make tough choices—”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/keystone-habits-make-tough-choices/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [If you believe you can change - if you make it a habit - the change becomes real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/if-you-believe-you-can-change-if-you-make-it-a-habit-the-change/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“a habit is a formula our brain automatically follows: When I see CUE, I will do ROUTINE in order to get a REWARD. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/a-habit-is-a-formula-our-brain-automatically-follows-when-i-see-cue-i/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [However, to modify a habit, you must decide to change it. You must consiously accept the hard work of identifying the cues and rewards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/however-to-modify-a-habit-you-must-decide-to-change-it-you-must/) [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/) > [Then one day, we’ll put the reward in the old place, and put in the rat, and, by golloy, the old habit will rememerge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/then-one-day-we-ll-put-the-reward-in-the-old-place-and-put-in-the-rat/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [Sometimes, flowers grow best in the sun; others do well in shade… Remember, God put us where we grow best and give us good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mhargs-abuda/sometimes-flowers-grow-best-in-the-sun-others-do-well-in-shade/) [Mhargs Abuda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mhargs-abuda/) > [It seems like once people grow up, they have no idea what's cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/it-seems-like-once-people-grow-up-they-have-no-idea-what-s-cool/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [Age doesn't define maturity. 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