THE RITUAL EFFECT

In this ground-breaking and inspiring guide, a renowned Harvard psychologist demonstrates how turning everyday habits into rituals can improve our work, our relationships and our lives.

Think of the way you keep up quirky family traditions.
How listening to a certain song before speaking in public can calm you down.
Or why it feels so strange to sleep on the opposite side of the bed.

These are rituals: practices that are imbued with symbolic meaning. And they have the power to turn black-and-white moments into technicolour.

In his ground-breaking book, Harvard professor and world-leading rituals expert Michael Norton uses his cutting-edge research to show the impact that these everyday actions have on our lives -- and how transforming habits into rituals can give us purpose and pleasure. Habits get you through the day; rituals make the day worth remembering, and life more meaningful.

Along the way, Norton shares stories from sporting superstars (Serena Williams always bounces the ball five times before her first serve), million-dollar companies (new Google employees wear beanies with propellers) and ordinary people (inventing their own 'ritual signatures'), who reimagine everyday moments to give a sense of control, build camaraderie, and spark joy.

Rituals can forge winning teams, heal families experiencing grief and help us rise to challenges, big or small. Now it's time to create yours.