Before her first serve, Serena Williams bounces the ball five times.
If she misses, she bounces it—exactly twice—before the second serve.
Why did she follow this ritual before every serve?
With 23 Grand Slam singles titles, Serena Williams ranks among the greatest tennis players. The precise rationale doesn’t matter—what matters is this system worked. The ‘five-and-two bounce’ ritual was in service to her success.
A ritual is common for many athletes. Michael Phelps listened to Eminem (and sometimes EDM—a questionable choice) until the last possible moment before a race. Michael Jordan wore his University of North Carolina shorts under his Chicago Bulls uniform as a good luck charm. Before every game, LeBron James tosses chalk powder into the air.
A research review into The Psychology of Rituals shows how rituals help us stay in control through high pressure situations like public speaking. Small rituals can help us:
Rituals are not just for elite athletes—they are for everyone.
In his book The Ritual Effect, Harvard business professor Michael Norton illustrates why we need rituals to elevate our habits.
Here are three ways to level up your own rituals.
Rituals are NOT anti-habits. Habits are automatic actions that provide us enhanced focus and consistency.
For example, Stephen King writes daily at 8:00 AM. This disciplined habit has enabled him to produce 65 novels and over 200 short stories, with more than 400 million books sold worldwide.
But habits are also automatic responses, like brushing your teeth—without much thought to the process.
Imagine turning mindless tooth brushing into a funky ceremony. Every time you brush, you and your partner perform an elaborate dance together. (Highly recommended!)
Stephen King's daily writing habit generated over 65 novels, BUT a tooth brushing dance ritual can generate more delight.
James Clear says, “Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.” But where's the joy in self-improvement without delight?
Small rituals transform dull habits into a rich and meaningful life.
Most of us rush through our morning coffee, mindlessly downing caffeine to kickstart the day. But is there a way to break down the automatic machinery of habit?
Elevate your morning coffee routine with a gratitude ritual. Instead of quickly downing your caffeine, take a moment to savour each sip and reflect on three things you're grateful for. You can always start with one of the hundreds of people involved in making your fragrant morning coffee.
I can't visit Lake Tekapo in Te Waipounamu (South Island of New Zealand) every morning—but I can create moments of expansiveness for these memories. Adopting a 'rituals mindset' allows us to invite a deeper sense of appreciation into daily life.
A family meal isn't just about stuffing ourselves with calories. Making great-grandmother’s recipe and sharing it connects us to the past and reinforces ‘who we are’ as a family. By participating in shared experiences, we strengthen our bonds with cultural, familial, and social groups.
For me, this ritual is now Pizza Friday. Inviting friends and neighbours elevates it from a mere carb feast to social connection with the community. Creative toppings, sharing stories from the week, and laughter make it the second best day of the week. (My personal favourite day is Monday—because of my ‘start of the week’ ritual.)
My grandmother's recent passing brought our family closer together, underscoring the value of rituals. When we lose a loved one, funeral rituals provide a way to navigate the complex emotions of grief, offering a structured process to cope with the uncertainty ahead.
Rituals help us manage losses—providing a sense of control—in an unstable world. By adopting a ritual mindset, we elevate our habits beyond their automatic machinery. Through mindful practices, ceremonies, and community events, rituals infuse our lives with meaning and purpose.
Consider how you can transform your habits into rituals—and you may find yourself dancing while brushing your teeth.
