A ritual is not the same as a routine

Miroslav Czadek
Jan 27
4 min read

A Ritual Is Not a Routine

A ritual is an action carried out according to a similar pattern and process in a specific situation. Most rituals follow a designed procedure and have a defined path that people follow and repeat. They are performed with intention and consciously. Unlike routines, rituals are not mindless. They are done with people who are aware that something special is happening and are attuned to it.

A good ritual tells a story that often helps a person understand what is happening, see what it means in the bigger picture, and come to terms with it. Rituals involve a certain kind of movement. There is usually a rhythm to people’s movements that activates a sense that something special is taking place. At work, these can be symbols. They may be props, words, or actions that represent something greater—usually a higher value. These symbols evoke a feeling of extraordinariness that transforms the ordinary into something special. From the outside, a ritual might appear irrational or dysfunctional, because it does not always make logical sense.

Why Bring Rituals into Contemporary Life

Rituals can be one of the powerful strategies for improving our lives. They are practices that bring people together, help us navigate conflicts, help us achieve better performance, and help us adapt to change. Sports fans are already familiar with rituals. The haka is a war chant combined with dance. It originates from the traditional war dances of the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand. Its purpose is to give players courage, strength, and a sense of unity in matches against their opponents.

Rituals provide order and meaning. They function as the central backbone of belief systems. Rituals make beliefs concrete and understandable for people. We are drawn to the function and structured behavior that rituals offer. This structure gives people a sense that things are under control and that they make sense.
A ritual increases the sense of control. Outside the world of work, rituals can also enhance people’s ability to make sound decisions. For example, performing a ritual increases a person’s sense of control when managing calorie intake and when choosing healthy foods.
Today, organizations and individuals face major challenges at work. There is a low level of employee engagement, high levels of stress and fear, inhumane environments, and failed reorganizations. These workplace issues require a multifaceted set of strategies to make human-centered workplaces more values-driven and creative. Rituals are one of these strategies that leaders and individuals can use to address their major challenges.

Try the “Work” To-Do Jar Ritual

The To-Do Jar is a ritual for visualizing your progress on your task list in a specific, rewarding way. For this ritual, a jar - or anything that allows you to see the number of notes - is ideal. Write your tasks on notes, one task per note.

When you complete a task, physically tear the note and add it to the jar.

Once your task is in the container, you will see how the pieces of notes gradually increase the contents of the jar. This is a physical way to visualize completed work. By filling the jar with finished tasks and visually tracking your progress, you can reduce the anxiety and stress that often come with getting things done.

Process:

During one of your work sessions, plan out all the tasks that matter to you, including both big and small ones.
Take a jar or another transparent container and place it next to your workspace.
Write all your tasks - typically six to ten - on notes on your desk.
Get to work: take one task note at a time and focus on it.
Once you complete the task, tear the task note into small pieces and put them into the jar.
Keep the jar permanently in your workspace. You will see the amount of work you have done and can physically measure it.
When all tasks are completed and the jar is full, burn the finished tasks or throw them into the trash.
Celebrate the result in any way you choose… 🎉🍾🍺🍻

Team Version (for Project Managers, Scrum Masters, Team Leaders, and Others)

You can also create a team version of this ritual by adding a few steps.

First, write down all the to-dos for the week—perhaps on Monday morning or whenever the team cycle allows.
Choose a shared place for the jar / task bin.
Team members can then take the tasks they will work on (these can be color-coded if needed).
Whenever someone completes a task, they walk over to the jar and tear the note on the spot. If others are around and see the tearing, they can encourage them by saying: “One less!” or “Another one done!”
When it comes to the final task and it is ready to be torn, a team member calls for a ceremonial completion. The team tears the last note together and throws it into the jar. Then they empty the jar or burn the tasks. The result is celebrated with coffee ☕️ or drinks 🥂🍷🥃🍻