In the bestselling tradition of Charles Duhiggs The Power of Habit and Angela Duckworths Grit a renowned social psychologist demonstrates the power of small acts--and how a subtle turning of habits into rituals can add purpose and pleasure to life.Our lives are filled with repetitive tasks meant to boost productivity--what we come to know as habits. Over time these habits (for example brushing your teeth or putting on your right sock first) are done on autopilot. But when a layer of mindfulness accompanies a habit--when we focus on the precise way an act is performed--a ritual has been created. Now an everyday act goes from black-and-white to technicolor. And as author Michael Norton explains here its these rituals that make life worth living. Think of the way you savor a certain beverage the care you take with a certain outfit that only gets worn on special occasions the unique way that your family gathers around the table at the 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 saturate our lives with purpose and meaning. Rituals can heal a community experiencing a great loss guide a speaker through a difficult presentation drive a stadium of sports fans to ecstasy inspire courage in soldiers going into combat and help us rise to challenges and realize opportunities. Among those who have made effective use of rituals are Maya Angelou Keith Richards Barack Obama and Steve Jobs. Drawing on decades of original research author Michal Norton reveals that shifting from a habitual mindset to a ritual mindset can both enhance performance and add meaning to your life. Compelling inspiring and practical The Ritual Effect takes us on a fascinating tour of the intention-filled acts that drive human behavior and shows us how to create simple rituals to imbue everyday life with a sense of purpose and joy.
