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
1092: Transforming Stress into Your Superpower with Dr. Rebecca Heiss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:04
Dr. Rebecca Heiss shares powerful perspectives for reframing stress. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) Why stress fuels meaning and purpose 2) The formula that helps harness stress 3) The 6-minute practice that reframes stress Subscri…
1090: How to Get Recruiters to Compete for You with Madeline Mann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:53
Madeline Mann shares insider tips and strategies for landing exciting new career opportunities. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The resume mistake high achievers make 2) The simple tweak that dramatically nets you more inbound oppor…
1087: How Neurodivergent Professionals Thrive at Work with Shea Belsky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:29
Shea Belsky shares his top do’s and don’ts for managing neurodiversity in the workplace. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) Why neurodivergency is unavoidable at work 2) The unique strengths and struggles of autistic people 3) When and…
1086: How to Unlock Personal Power and Deep Confidence with Chris Lipp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:57
Chris Lipp reveals the key to owning the room and boosting your confidence. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) How to end self-consciousness 2) A 5-minute ritual to prime your power 3) Two behaviors that naturally earn you respect Subs…
1085: How to Find More Fun at Work Every Day with Bree Groff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:40
Bree Groff shares the simple but effective strategies for finding more fun at work. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The mind shift that helps us find more fun at work 2) The 5-minute team practice that drastically improves engagemen…
1084: How to Navigate Change and Encourage Innovation with Jeff DeGraff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:28
Jeff DeGraff shows you how to go from managing change to mastering it. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) Why facts don’t actually change minds—and what does 2) Why you should seek out constructive conflict 3) What to do when you’re ov…