CLUTCH: How Rituals Elevate Performance and Happiness

Everybody wants to be clutch. We all want to rise to the challenge when it matters most. This groundbreaking book reveals the secret to increased focus, skill, self-confidence, willpower, brainpower and even happiness. Clutch braids cutting-edge behavioral science research with engaging stories of actors, athletes, authors and artists to help you understand and benefit from the surprising power of personal rituals.

Clutch is a book about you.

Clutch is an inspiring page-turner as it is about what is most important to you. Whether you are starting a new business or starting a new diet, entering the NFL or entering the 8th grade, opening on Broadway or opening a taco shop, Clutch will walk you through a proven strategy of rising to your biggest challenge.

The buzz about Clutch.

“Clutch reimagines rituals, a simple and powerful way to help you avoid disaster, overcome fears, and achieve dreams.”

Kathleen Vohs, PhDDistinguished Professor, Carlson School of ManagementUniversity of Minnesota

"Personal rituals have surprising power to help people bounce back from failure and loss. Clutch gives you access to that power."

Francesca Gino, PhDProfessor, The Mind, Brain and Behavior InitiativeHarvard Business School

“A quick and entertaining read. Powell integrates descriptions of cutting-edge behavioral science research on rituals with anecdotes from his own and others' experiences. What emerges is practical advice on harnessing the power of rituals in everyday life.”

Juliana Schroeder, PhDAsst. Professor, University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

"Walking the high wire requires amazing focus. Clutch shows you a way to increase focus for your big challenges."

Nik Wallenda, King of the High Wire

About the author.

Mark Powell is a ritual enthusiast and storyteller. His interest in the power of personal rituals began over three decades ago with one throwaway line by a sociology professor. Oh and, by the way, research shows that the higher the level of rituals in a person’s life, the stronger the person. Those words sparked research, discoveries and Clutch. Mark’s favorite personal rituals involve black coffee and blue sailboats. He lives with his wife Annie and a Golden Retriever (whom he calls “dog”) in Leesburg, Virginia. Learn more at drmarkpowell.com.

Top Ten things you will learn from Clutch.

1. How to use the personal power ritual algorithm. (R + C)ⁿ = Clutch
2. How a to build a strong morning ritual. Win the morning, win the day.
3. How to change your eating habits for life by creating new positive eating rituals.
4. How to avoid high-stakes errors.
5. How to expand your daily allotment of willpower and brainpower.
6. How to discover and benefit from your daily 100 minutes of genius.
7. How to avoid the misery of small decisions. (AKA decision fatigue)
8. How to quickly put your new exercise plan on autopilot.
9. How to speed recovery from loss or failure.
10. How to use personal rituals to decrease stress, fear, anxiety and increase happiness.