How does ritual impact performance?

Rituals play a crucial role in enhancing performance, particularly by aiding in focus and decision-making. Shane Parrish discusses this on "The Knowledge Project," noting that rituals like certain pre-action routines (such as basketball players bouncing the ball a set number of times before a free throw) help athletes to calm down and center themselves. This process allows them to focus solely on the current moment, disregarding previous plays, whether good or bad. Such rituals are essential for recentering, especially during transitions in games, helping athletes to make the best possible decisions in optimal physiological states. Joe Mazzulla adds that this also facilitates cognitive dexterity, enabling athletes to handle transitions smoothly and maintain sharp focus throughout the game 1.

Additionally, Jack Kornfield, in another episode of "The Knowledge Project," describes rituals as a fundamental human language that asserts our intentions and influences our environment. He illustrates how simple actions like lighting a candle, making a prayer, or toasting can change the collective energy and bring individuals together by marking a conscious pause in interactions. These rituals are strategic tools to manage our responses and focus on the present, aiding in both personal and group coherence 2.