Habit book notes · Daniel H. Pink · 2009

Drive — the big ideas

A popular book on autonomy, mastery and purpose, drawing heavily on self-determination theory. The big ideas of Drive by Daniel H.

Free — no account needed to read

A popular book arguing that for many modern tasks, motivation comes less from rewards and punishments than from autonomy, mastery and purpose.

The big ideas

People are more engaged when they have choice over what, when and how they do things.

The desire to get better at something that matters is a powerful motivator.

Connecting work to something larger than yourself sustains effort.

Simplifies self-determination research, and the claim that rewards usually backfire is debated — rewards often help with dull tasks.
Focused on work; applying it to personal habits requires translation.

Ryan & Deci (2000) — Proposed that motivation lasts when three psychological needs are met — autonomy (it is your choice), competence (you can do it) and relatedness (connection to others) — and that motivation you endorse outlasts motivation from pressure. Limits: A broad, well-researched theory; how strongly each need matters varies by person and culture.
Deci, Koestner & Ryan (1999) — Expected, tangible rewards for doing an already-interesting activity tended to reduce people’s interest in it afterwards, while positive feedback tended to increase it. Limits: Applies to activities people already enjoy; other researchers dispute how large and general the effect is.

Change one detail of a habit so it feels more like your choice, and write the purpose it serves.

Described in our own words with the source named — not a summary of the whole book.

Make it your choice — Choose the habit, and the way you do it, for your own reasons. (Research-supported)
Connect it to a value — Write one sentence linking the habit to something you care about. (Research-supported)
Deliberate practice — Work on one specific weakness at a time, with feedback, just past what’s comfortable. (Evidence mixed)