Athletes are famous for their superstitions. They don’t change socks during a winning streak and practice the same rituals before every game. In baseball, some players don’t step (or always step) on the foul lines when coming on and off the field.
Small business owners have superstitions, too. Many have a favorite suit or dress they wear to that big presentation. While I do not consider myself a superstitious person, I do have my business traditions that I never break. I have a power tie I always where on television and a Mont Blanc pen for signing big deals. If I arrive at the airport early, I always take the first available flight out even if I have to sit in the middle seat. If I wait for my scheduled flight, I am convinced it will be delayed.
Small business owners have these superstitions because running a company is so tentative and unpredictable. Superstitions enable them to cling to what has worked before with high hopes that it can work again. It also provides that additional boost of confidence and comfort that can make a difference in being successful.
What are some of your business superstitions?
“I like to start meetings on the half-hour, so the minute hand is moving upward to create good luck and positivity” —Allison Branen
“I always enter my office with the right foot…as a sign of good luck. The second business superstition is a strict no whistling policy in the office. I follow the Russian superstition that if you whistle indoors, it is just like whistling your money away.” —Ian Aronovich
“The Highest Heels, Close the Biggest Deals! As a result all the ladies in the office wear heels as a part of the dress code.” —Traci Allen
“We maintain a white board that keeps track of our new clients. I will not write down any new placements or clients until I have received confirmation that the candidate has arrived at the client site. I am convinced that if I write down the information before the candidate shows up for work that the placement will fall apart." —Ginger R. Wilson
“My grandmother never explained why, but insisted that all new stores had to be opened on a Thursday to be successful.” —Mike Tesler
“We are rent office space, and when we have several vacant spaces, we find that the one that has a particular piece of art (a large print of a wine glass and bottle) is nearly always the one that gets rented next. So we take to putting it in the space we most want to lease up.” —Wendy Zdrodowski
“My superstition pushes me to eat peppermints when I need a boost for a big project… something about the power of peppermints to boost your memory and focus. (I like the soft ones that kind of melt in your mouth!)” —Monique Bird
“I never go to a meeting without my Grandmother's necklace with her engagement ring. It has become a source of comfort that there will be a successful outcome at the end of the presentation.” —Carol Sankar
“Besides not using Wi-Fi on the left side of a north-bound bus through the Smokey Mountains on Tuesdays, nope. Don't believe in the stuff.” —Jesse Petersen
What are your business superstitions? Admit to them here! I predict if you do not comment on this article, it will be a tough day.