1129: Unlocking Your Best Performance through Rituals with Michael Norton

1129: Unlocking Your Best Performance through Rituals with Michael Norton

Author: How to be Awesome at Your Job February 16, 2026 Duration: 37:00
Michael Norton reveals the science behind rituals that can help us change the way we feel and perform. — YOU’LL LEARN —  1) What makes rituals more powerful than habits 2) How rituals help you get into the zone 3) Simple team rituals to build closeness Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1129 for clickable versions of the links below.  — ABOUT MICHAEL —  Michael I. Norton is a professor at Harvard Business School. Michael’s research focuses on behavioral economics and well-being, with particular attention given to happiness and spending, income inequality, the IKEA effect, and, most recently, rituals. Michael Norton’s research has been published in popular media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Forbes, and The New York Times, as well as academic journals like Science, The Quarterly Journal of Economics, and the American Economic Review. His “How to Buy Happiness” TED Talk has been viewed over 4 million times, and his work has been parodied by The Onion.  In 2013, Norton co-authored Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending with Elizabeth Dunn. His recent book The Ritual Effect focuses on the surprising and versatile power of rituals. • Book: The Ritual Effect: From Habit to Ritual, Harness the Surprising Power of Everyday Actions • Quiz: "Are you turning mundane moments into meaningful ones?" • Website: MichaelNorton.com — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW —  • Study: "Overearning" by Christopher K. Hsee, Jiao Zhang, Fengyan Cai, and Shirley Zhang • Book: The Gift: How the Creative Spirit Transforms the World by Lewis Hyde — THANK YOU SPONSORS! —  • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME. • Shopify. Sign up for your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/better See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever feel like there's a gap between the work you're doing and the work you know you're capable of? That's the space where How to Be Awesome at Your Job lives. Hosted by Pete, this long-running podcast digs into the practical, often overlooked tactics that transform good performance into remarkable impact. Rather than abstract theory, each conversation with accomplished thought-leaders and results-getters focuses on extracting specific, actionable insights you can apply immediately. You'll hear real stories and candid advice that sharpen universal skills-like clear communication, strategic thinking, and effective collaboration-which are essential for any role that involves working with others and solving problems. With over 25 million downloads and recognition from places like The New York Times and Forbes, the podcast has become a trusted resource for professionals seeking more than just a checklist. It’s about cultivating a more fulfilling career, finding more meaning in your daily tasks, and yes, creating more wins and financial reward along the way. Tune in to discover how small shifts in approach can lead to significant gains in your performance, your well-being, and your overall enjoyment of the work you do.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

How to Be Awesome at Your Job
Podcast Episodes
1147: How to Optimize Your Space to Thrive with Leidy Klotz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:45
Leidy Klotz shares simple shifts for creating more spaces that improve well-being. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The three core needs that well-designed spaces meet 2) How to feel in control of spaces you can’t control 3) How to h…
1145: How to Flourish in Chaos and Build Adaptability with Anne Grady [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:01
Anne Grady shares expert tips for developing your capacity to adapt, change, and grow during times of uncertainty. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) Why to seek out the (second) greatest threat to your brain 2) How to optimize your th…
1143: How to Build a Career that AI Can’t Replace with Aneesh Raman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:22
Aneesh Raman guides you on how to use AI and turn it into a competitive advantage. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) Why you shouldn’t see AI as competition 2) How to make the most out of AI in your workflow 3) What AI can’t replicate…
1141: How to Stop Burnout Before It Starts with Guy Winch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:04
Guy Winch shares the simple strategies for taking back control of your mind, energy, and attention from work. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) How to stop rumination loops 2) The trick to dealing with difficult situations beyond your…