Your Favorite Number

I was watching an interview with football great Eric Dickerson. He was talking about jersey numbers. That small detail sparked a bigger thought.

So many people have a favorite number. Some even call it a lucky number. You might not think you do. But if you do, you’re not alone.

What’s interesting is why we do this.

A favorite number can seem irrational. After all, it’s just a number. It doesn’t change reality. It doesn’t control outcomes. And yet, people feel attached to one.

When you look at it through a psychology lens, it starts to make sense. I see three reasons this happens.

1) We create meaning in a world that can feel random

Life can feel unpredictable. Some days are smooth. Others feel chaotic. When things don’t have clear patterns, the mind looks for them.

A favorite number can become a tiny anchor of meaning. It’s a personal symbol. It’s something you “own.” It gives shape to something that would otherwise feel like noise.

In a random moment, seeing that number can feel like a small signal. Not a magical one. A personal one.

2) Familiarity can feel like safety

Humans like the familiar. Familiar often feels safer than unfamiliar.

That’s why routines help. That’s why “your” coffee mug matters. That’s why you might prefer the same seat in a meeting.

A favorite number can work the same way. You may see it on a house sign while driving. Or you notice it on a receipt. For a second, it feels comforting. It’s a quick moment of familiarity in the middle of everything else.

3) It can help us decide when we don’t have a better reason

Sometimes we have to choose with no clear winner. Two options seem equal. The stakes are low. Or the information is incomplete.

Which hotel room? Which parking spot? Which item should you pick?

A favorite number becomes a simple rule. It reduces friction. It moves you from “stuck” to “done.”

And that matters more than people realize. Decision fatigue is real. The more choices we make, the more tired our brain gets. Small shortcuts can help us preserve energy for the choices that actually matter.

In that way, a favorite number isn’t silly. It’s a form of meaning, comfort, and efficiency.

Three leadership tips you can apply right away…

Tip 1: Create a few “default rules” for low-stakes decisions

Leaders burn energy on too many small choices. What time should we meet? Which format should we use? Who goes first? How long should updates be?

Pick a few defaults and stick to them until there’s a reason to change.
Examples:

• Meetings start at 5 minutes past the hour.
• Updates are three bullets, max.
• Decisions live in one shared place.

These defaults reduce drag. They also free up attention for real leadership work.

Tip 2: Use small rituals to create stability for your team

When things feel uncertain, people crave signals of steadiness. That doesn’t require a big speech. It can be a consistent routine.

Examples:

• Same agenda every week.
• Same two questions in 1:1s.
• A predictable rhythm for priorities and follow-ups.

A favorite number is a tiny ritual. Teams need bigger versions of that. Consistency builds calm.

Tip 3: Decide how you will decide—before the pressure hits

When pressure rises, teams often argue about the process. Not the problem.

Set the decision method in advance.
Examples:

• “If it’s reversible, the owner decides.”
• “If it affects two teams, we align in writing first.”
• “If it’s high risk, we use a short pre-mortem.”

This prevents confusion. It speeds action. And it reduces second-guessing.