
Curious Minds at Work CM 264: Michael Norton on How Rituals Improve Our Lives
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Apr 22, 2024 Psychologist Michael Norton discusses the power of rituals in providing meaning and purpose. He explains how rituals, unlike habits, operate on an emotional level, deepening our experiences. The podcast explores the calming effect of rituals, finding joy in shared rituals, and using rituals to ease the pain of breakup. Norton's insights shed light on how rituals can impact emotions, relationships, and daily life.
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When Habits Become Rituals
- Rituals differ from habits when order and meaning matter and disruption feels unsettling.
- Rituals summon emotions and attach personal significance beyond mere task completion.
The Egg That Restored Meaning
- Cake-mix makers added an egg to give bakers a small meaningful step.
- That tiny effort made the cake feel like 'your' baking and restored emotional value.
Rituals As Performance Tools
- Elite performers use elaborate rituals to regulate emotion before performance.
- Rituals serve as flexible tools when no simple, guaranteed solution exists to reach a desired state.

