In the bestselling tradition of Charles Duhiggâs The Power of Habit and Angela Duckworthâs Grit, a renowned social psychologist demonstrates how a subtle turning of habits into rituals can âclear a little space for everyday magicâ (The Guardian) in our lives.
Our lives are filled with repetitive tasks meant to keep us on trackâwhat we come to know as habits. Over time, these routines (like brushing your teeth or putting on your right sock first) tend to be performed automatically. But when weâre more mindful about these actionsâwhen we focus on the precise way they are performedâthey can instead become rituals. Shifting from a âhabitualâ mindset to a âritualâ mindset can convert ordinary acts from black and white to technicolor.
Think about the way you savor a certain beverage, the care you take with a particular outfit that gets worn only on special occasions, the unique way that your family gathers around the table during holidays, or the secret language you enjoy with your significant other. To some, these behaviors may seem quirky, but because rituals matter so deeply to us on a personal level, they give our lives purpose and meaning. Drawing on a decade of original research, Norton shows that rituals play a role in healing communities experiencing a great loss, marking lifeâs major transitions, driving a stadium of sports fans to ecstasy, and helping us rise to challenges and realize opportunities.
Compelling, insightful, and practical, The Ritual Effect reminds us of the intention-filled acts that drive human behavior and create surprising satisfaction and enjoyment.