What is your lucky charm?
In Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener's new book, The Courage Quotient, he dedicates a chapter to the concept of magical thinking, which is "directly related to managing both of the two aspects of the courage quotient - managing anxiety/fear and boosting confidence/self-efficacy."
In the chapter Dr. Biswas-Diener references research published recently by Lysann Damisch, Barbara Stoberock and Thomas Mussweiler in which they measured the efficacy of a variety of good luck thinking such as talismans or good luck charms.
"The researchers found that by activating good luck beliefs, these objects were consistently able to boost people's self-confidence and that this up-tick in self-assurance in turn affected a wide range of performance. It positively affected people's ability to solve puzzles and to remember the pictures depicted on thirty-six different cards, and it improved their putting performance in golf! In fact, people with a lucky charm performed significantly better than did the people who had none."
In light of these fascinating findings, we thought a fun idea would be to ask you...what's YOUR lucky charm? Do have a favorite jacket you always wear to job interviews? A particular piece of jewelry or memorabilia that you carry with you for moral support when anticipating a stressful event? We want to hear from you! Visit our Facebook page and post your lucky charm story, or if you'd prefer it to remain private you can email your story to us here.
|
