116Develop Coping Rituals
Famous writers through the centuries established rituals to prime their minds. German poet Friedrich von Schiller kept rotting apples in his desk so he could inhale their bouquet. Edgar Allen Poe wrote best with a cat perched on his shoulder.
“Rituals help us shift gears, make transitions, change our mental states,” says Naomi Epel in “The Observation Deck.”
Develop your own rituals to help you through adversarial encounters at work. When a conversation turns tense, pull gently on your pinky finger to remind yourself to remain calm. Stroke your arm or jangle change in your pocket. Mentally recite a favorite passage. This strategy isn’t artful dodging. Instead it’s passage to a safe harbor that will provide you shelter ...
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