Harvard Professor: How To Reset Your Life, Find Purpose & Make Life Exciting Again | Michael Norton

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Have you ever thought about the role that rituals play in our health and wellbeing? Whether it's a morning routine, a pre-game warmup, or a cultural tradition, rituals can provide us with structure, meaning, and connection.
Today’s guest is Professor Michael Norton, Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and author of the brand new book, The Ritual Effect: The Transformative Power of Our Everyday Actions, which delves into the science and psychology behind, why turning everyday habits into rituals can improve our work, our relationships and our lives.
In this conversation, Michael and I explore the fascinating world of rituals and how they impact on our mental and physical health. We discuss the distinction between rituals and routines, why they can be really helpful in making our habits stick over the long term and how, by providing order and structure, they can help us manage overwhelm and stress.
We also explore how rituals foster community and connection, how elite athletes like Serena Williams use rituals to enhance performance and mental preparation, and how team rituals, like the New Zealand rugby team’s iconic Hakka, are a great example of how ritual behaviours boost togetherness and collective identity.
Michael and I also share some of our own personal rituals - including the preparation rituals I go through each week to prepare for this podcast. And, we also acknowledge that rituals can become problematic if taken to an extreme and the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with them, using them as tools for self-improvement rather than allowing them to be in control of us.
Ultimately, this is a conversation that offers a compelling case for the power of rituals in enhancing our health and happiness. Whether you're an athlete striving for peak performance, or simply someone looking to live a more fulfilled life, I think you’ll find that understanding the "ritual effect" can be truly transformative.
#feelbetterlivemore
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Connect with Professor Norton:
michaelnorton.com/
/ michaelinorton
Professor Norton’s book:
The Ritual Effect: The Transformative Power of Our Everyday Actions by Harvard Professor Michael Norton - US: amzn.to/4dGWCUC, UK: amzn.to/4bjnh8u
#feelbetterlivemore #feelbetterlivemorepodcast
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[@DrChatterjeeRangan]

Looking for shorter clips or content? Check out my @DrChatterjeeClips channel

[@LauraMetal]

Dr Rangan, las year i started listening to yur podcast (throught the videos) and it has changed my life. You have been such a positive influence, the guests that you interview are such an inspiration, i cant begin to describe how grateful i am for you and your work! Thanks you, thank you, thank you!!! (cheers from Brazil)

[@DrChatterjeeRangan]

Thanks so much for the wonderful feedback, I am so glad that the podcast is helping you so much. Keep up the great work, Rangan

[@spinnetti]

Re: ritual sets your framing for all kinds of stuff. "putting on the uniform" changes literally who you are. When a policeman, fireman, doctor whatever - when you "suit up" you are readying up for your role. For me, when I suit up to race cars, or cycle or my armor for medieval combat, whatever those dressing rituals get you ready to perform.

[@Anita-wh4vr]

Thank you. I really love the idea of implementing a gratitude ritual. And as I love coffee, I put a note on the coffee machine so I am reminded to express for what I am grateful in that moment when I wait the hot coffee to come out. ❤️ ☕️ ❤😊

[@EcomCarl]

Integrating meaningful rituals into our daily lives not only enhances our emotional experiences but also fosters sustained personal growth. 🗝

[@chriswhiteiii]

Yes to Rituals. Months just before my father’s body wilted in 2014 an elder drum mentor of mine pointed out to me what the importance of ritual was/is/will continue to be with indigenous African life, which ended up being a seed that internally grantied me unspoken permission to call for support, delegate responsibility, drop everything and show up to connect for a community dance class that I was scheduled to play drum for a hour after hearing my dad say his last audible words. I am still learning how to mourn in public so this guidance has been pivotal for how a developing person navigating through the typical roads paved by Western rugged individualism over earth’s tectonic shifting plates.

[@adriansanchez4875]

1. Quarter gallon of water 2.breakfast 3. Cold shower 4. Brush teeth 5. Read 6. Weightlifting 7. Cardio 8. Shower again 9. Start of work day

[@andreio3426]

thank you! I can skip watching now

[@katiea.5259]

This discussion reminded me of a book from 1986 called "The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life" by Thomas Moore. So I went to my book case which has been winnowed down repeatedly over the years, and that book is still there. It's got some wonderful ideas in it for recognizing and honoring one's rituals. Thank you for this talk and for reminding me of a book that has obviously been important enough for me to hold onto it for a lot of years. I do think we suffer from a lack of rituals in our lives.

[@beccaputnam7974]

Excited to check this book out! Thank you for sharing!

[@anerkant]

Thanks for book❤

[@starrydiscoqueen11]

Thank you so much for your podcast. I am glad you exist. It is very intelligent and fascinating. I listen to you when I’m getting ready in the morning. You are the best.❤❤❤

[@ingathomas6653]

I really enjoyed how much fun you guys had. Thanks for all the content you offer.

[@KymRodger]

Hi there! Loving your positive outlook and the detail in which you research and interview! I’ve been looking for your journaling questions you’ve mentioned and can’t seem to find them…

[@wiliame]

very deep ang intresting!! thansk for a great subject!!

[@katherinemurray7163]

Great topic, super interesting, and one I have started exploring in my own life and seeing how important it really is to my overall sense of well being. Enjoyed the interview, not a stuffy academic discourse in any way, just a curious exploration of the topic and review of what studies have revealed about human nature on the issue.

[@santodejesus3012]

Thanks deeply 🙏

[@jacobshrimpton]

Really enjoyable & helpful, I will just point out though when you talk about a new ritual for young male adolescent in the UK you literally described Scouts, Cubs & beavers. Such clubs have been around in the UK for a long time however in more recent years due to individuals using these organisations as a platform for there own agenda they have gotten less attention/funding. I assume that each area may have individual reasons for not supporting them however you get the idea.

[@Chris-hp2gg]

People have two lives. The second life begins when they realize they only have one.😂

[@theotherway1639]

I remember a book called You Suck by Paulie Amigo that helped with destressing and seeing things differently. It was a funny self help satire.

[@JayWate]

We're all privileged to wake up to the same ritual of the same disintegrating 24 hours of the day, and if you don't think it's a ritual then try missing one

[@edwardaligonzalez123]

🧠💥💯💪🏽👍🏾 thanks 4 sharing

[@drewa1999]

Serena and Nadal have the rituals to serve at a high level....haha no pun intended?

[@socialsocial5226]

# WHY THE WEIRED Title!!!

[@nancykralik6779]

What does one do when they get blocked?

[@KjKase]

11:52 I am personally offended.

[@JGalegria]

wonder if surgeons have a ritual before they make the first cut.... could be the hand washing?

[@murranz]

Joni's Church of Rock n Roll

[@EBSJones4]

"Is there anything you learnt that you wish you HAD KNOWN sooner?"

[@KM-wv2og]

I brush my teeth in the shower

[@emmadedic4483]

Rutine is a ritual

[@harris4041]

What happened to that Harvard dishonesty expert again?

[@RM-wl8qx]

It takes first 15 seconds to know if I can follow the rest of the talk. I'll sit this one out.

[@lucid685]

Im making life exciting again (title of this video) by having rituals? You lost me

[@willcollins5660]

Too much trivial ideas from Mr. Norton. Adds no real practicality to the daily life of a person. I'll skip this one, thanks though.

[@DAClub-uf3br]

There is no emotional diversity for me. I can't feel positive emotions.

[@thefootballpunnedit]

Bookmarks

[@user-kt5cp7lv5e]

No

[@okchawk2k]

And why should we believe anybody that comes from Harvard? lol.

[@AI_admin]

this guys constant "laughs" is driving me crazy ... could only get through 15 mins, sorry.

[@ready1fire1aim1]

Let's now explore how we can apply logic, math, and physics to formalize the relationship between objectivity and subjectivity in epistemology within the monadological framework. First, let's define our basic entities and relations: - Let M be the set of all monads (fundamental psychophysical entities). - Let P be a set of "propositions" or "statements." - Let T be a set of "truth values," with at least two elements, "true" and "false." - Let B be a function from M × P to T, where B(m, p) represents the "belief" or "truth assignment" of monad m to proposition p. - Let J be a function from P(M) × P to T, where J(S, p) represents the "justification" or "epistemic support" for proposition p based on the beliefs of the set of monads S. Now, let's formalize the idea of objectivity and subjectivity in epistemology: - Objectivity: ∀p ∈ P, ∃t ∈ T, such that ∀S ⊆ M, J(S, p) = t. - Subjectivity: ∃p ∈ P, such that ∀t ∈ T, ∃S ⊆ M, J(S, p) ≠ t. In other words, objectivity means that for every proposition, there exists a truth value that is justified by the beliefs of any set of monads, while subjectivity means that there are some propositions for which no single truth value is justified by the beliefs of all sets of monads. We can formalize this further using the mathematical framework of modal logic and epistemic logic: - Let K be a Kripke model, where the worlds are sets of monads and the accessibility relation represents "epistemic accessibility" or "sharing of beliefs." - Let □ be a modal operator, where □p means "p is known" or "p is objectively true." - The objectivity and subjectivity of epistemology can be expressed as: - Objectivity: ∀p ∈ P, either □p or □¬p. - Subjectivity: ∃p ∈ P, such that ¬□p and ¬□¬p. Here, objectivity is formalized as the principle that for every proposition, either it or its negation is known or objectively true, while subjectivity is formalized as the existence of propositions for which neither they nor their negations are known or objectively true. Finally, we can connect this to physics by noting that this formalism is compatible with both objective and subjective aspects of scientific knowledge: - Objective aspects of science include empirical observations, mathematical theorems, and experimentally verified laws and regularities. - Subjective aspects of science include theoretical interpretations, conceptual frameworks, and the role of human creativity and intuition in the scientific process. The monadological framework accommodates both perspectives by recognizing that scientific knowledge arises from the interplay between the objective features of reality and the subjective perspectives of the monads (observers or knowers) investigating it. In summary, by using tools from logic, math (modal logic and epistemic logic), and physics (empirical observations and theoretical interpretations), we can formalize the both/and nature of objectivity and subjectivity in epistemology within the monadological framework: - Epistemology involves understanding the relationships between the beliefs of knowers (monads) and the truth values of propositions. - Some propositions may have objective truth values that are justified by the beliefs of any set of knowers, while others may have subjective truth values that depend on the specific perspectives of the knowers. - This formalism is compatible with both objective and subjective aspects of scientific knowledge in physics and other fields. This analysis highlights the capacity of the monadological framework to provide a comprehensive and nuanced account of the nature of knowledge and the process of scientific inquiry. By embracing a both/and approach and drawing on the tools of logic, mathematics, and physics, we can develop a more sophisticated and accurate understanding of the complex interplay between objectivity and subjectivity in our quest for understanding the world around us.

[@CrisTina-tp2jg]

I brush my teeth in the shower