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February 13, 2015

The Truth Behind Common Superstitions

Photo courtesy of the author.

Photo courtesy of the author.

Paraskevidekatriaphobia: the fear of Friday the thirteenth. Well, here it is, the first of three Friday the thirteenths we have in 2015. For most, its connotation is bad luck, for a few (like myself) it’s a good luck date, and for others, it means absolutely nothing.

It’s fun to explore the fears and phobias we associate with, whether it’s rupophobia (dirt), ophidiophobia (snakes), politicophobia (politicians) or coulrophobia (fear of clowns). These superstitions are fairly commonplace and can run the gamut from the color socks or shoes you wear to a meeting or presentation, to using certain “lucky” colors or words in design work.

As a thought experiment, I did some research around Delucchi team members’ common superstitions, which led me down a pretty hilarious path:

  • “I never say ‘things are slow.’ If I do I knock on wood, immediately, otherwise it’s like a bell goes off and every client decides they want something.”
  • “I sometimes sleep with my briefing and/or marketing plan.”
  • “I always wear my power outfit: All black, and red heels.”

A 2013 Financial Times article “Rational About Superstition” lists a few company’s founders’ superstitions and the takeaways are summed up very well by Aron Schoenfeld, founder of events platform DoItInPerson.com. One of his superstitions? He never makes a phone call sitting down. “It started as a habit and has stayed with me as a superstition. It gives me that extra confidence, even if people look at me like I’m crazy,” says Schoenfeld.

Crazy? Irrational? Maybe, but if your phobia or superstition gives you that extra edge and makes you feel invincible, go for it! In the  article, management expert Marshall Goldsmith weighs in: “The psychological impact may be more real than cynics realize. A 2010 study at the University of Cologne showed that lucky charms and rituals can enhance self-confidence, encourage people to set higher goals, be more persistent and, ultimately, perform better.”

So get over your atychiphobia (fear of failure) and etathesiophobia (fear of change), grab that rabbit’s foot, avoid the cracks in the sidewalk and get your best work out there.