Are superstitions the key to success?

08
Aug

Many people have routines when it comes to business.

When I was in the world of short term contracting and going for numerous interviews each year, I used to play an upbeat song very loudly before leaving the house, to get myself in a positive and energetic frame of mind.

In the business of professional sport, many people have stringent routines and habits they adhere to, in the belief that when they are on a winning streak, they shouldn’t change anything.

Ever noticed that tennis players often bounce the ball a certain number of times? Tennis superstar Rafa Nadal’s penchant for lining up his water bottles is well documented. Golfer Tiger Woods is reported to wear the colour red for big tournaments.

The ‘lucky’ red socks worn by former New Zealand yachting hero Sir Peter Blake became a trademark in his homeland – when he was on a winning streak, his home nation wore red socks in a show of support.

An upside of having set ways of doing things is that it can remove excess decision making, leaving you free to concentrate on whatever needs your focus. However, having very inflexible routines means you can sometimes find yourself coming unstuck.

If you only have one ‘lucky interview’ outfit for example, you can run into trouble if the same people wish to interview you more than once, you have interviews on consecutive days or you fall victim to a last minute spillage on your chosen attire.

Technical issues may mean you don’t have access to your favourite song. Your signature aftershave or lipstick might be discontinued or your lucky underwear may become threadbare.

Regardless of the props, routines and even the clothing you choose, the most important thing is to have confidence and a belief in your own ability. At the end of the day, mindset is what will help you make it – no matter what you set out to achieve.