The effect of rituals

Michael Norton

In this groundbreaking and inspiring guide, renowned Harvard psychologist Michael Norton explains how turning daily habits into rituals can improve your work, relationships, and life.

Think about the quirky traditions you have with your friends, the unconventional ways you and your family mark special occasions, or the gifts your partner gives you—and what would you think if they bought them for your ex? These are rituals: practices steeped in symbolic meaning. They have the power to transform ordinary moments into artistic ones. In *The Ritual Effect*, Norton shares stories from sports stars (like Serena Williams, who bounced the ball five times before her first serve), multimillion-dollar companies (like Zipcar, who urged its employees to destroy their old desks with sledgehammers), and ordinary people (who created their own “rituals”) to reimagine everyday moments, build camaraderie, and inspire joy. Rituals can help us build winning teams, comfort grieving families, and encourage us to face challenges, big and small. Now is the time to create your own rituals.