It’s that time again, when CIPS exams are looming…
Hopefully you feel confident and in control, however if you don’t I have a little tip for you today. I’ve been reading a book by Michael Norton called The Ritual Effect.
Michael Norton explores the psychological power of rituals, distinguishing them from habits. While habits are automatic behaviors formed through repetition (like brushing your teeth), rituals are intentional, symbolic, and emotionally resonant actions. They’re not just about what you do, but how and why you do it.
He argues that rituals can provide a performance boost. Engaging in a pre-task ritual (even a simple one) can reduce anxiety and improve performance by increasing feelings of control and focus. So my question to you, is what is your exam ritual?
💨 Scent-Based Rituals
Scent is a powerful memory and mood trigger.
- Use a specific scent only when studying or taking practice tests. This conditions the brain to associate that smell with focus and productivity.
- Lavender (calming), peppermint (energising), rosemary (linked to memory).
🍬 Taste-Based Rituals
- Hard sweets or lozenges:
- Suck on one before opening your notes or beginning an exam
✍️ Action-Based Rituals
- Something small and symbolic, e.g.clicking a pen twice, tapping a ring, or placing a lucky charm on the desk.
I’ve even had students tell me they have a lucky piece of underwear or socks they have to wear for every exam! In case you were wondering, my exam ritual was chewing gum and i’ll talk more about how that can benefit you next week.
Reply to this and let me know what your ritual is!
Cheers
Laura