Habituation: The Curse and Blessing of Being Human

As human beings, we have a remarkable ability to adapt to our surroundings. The everyday things that once seemed strange or frustrating quickly become second nature to us. This process, known as habituation, is a fundamental way our brains learn and free up mental resources to tackle new challenges. However, this same ability to become numb to the world around us can also be a curse, preventing us from noticing the problems that could be solved.

Designer Tony Fadell, the man behind the iPod and Nest thermostat, knows this all too well. He recounts the story of the humble fruit sticker, something most of us barely register anymore, but which once represented a genuine annoyance. “When we get home and we’re hungry and we see this ripe, juicy piece of fruit on the counter, we just want to pick it up and eat it. Except now, we have to look for this little sticker. And dig at it with our nails, damaging the flesh. Then rolling up that sticker — you know what I mean. And then trying to flick it off your fingers.” A simple problem, but one that most of us have simply learned to accept as a fact of life.

Comedians like Jerry Seinfeld have made careers out of highlighting these everyday absurdities that we’ve grown blind to. But for designers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, the ability to see the invisible problems around us is essential. As Fadell explains, “It’s easy to solve a problem that almost everyone sees. But it’s hard to solve a problem that almost no one sees.”

Staying Beginner’s Eyes: Three Tips for Seeing the Unseen

Look Broader

When tackling a problem, it’s easy to focus solely on the immediate issue at hand. But Fadell encourages us to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. “Sometimes, there are a lot of steps that lead up to that problem. And sometimes, a lot of steps after it. If you can take a step back and look broader, maybe you can change some of those boxes before the problem. Maybe you can combine them. Maybe you can remove them altogether to make that better.”

He points to the evolution of the thermostat as an example. When energy-saving features were added, the complexity increased, and people ended up not saving any energy at all. It wasn’t until a machine-learning algorithm was introduced that the problem was truly solved, eliminating the need for complicated programming.

Look Closer

While taking a broader view is important, Fadell also emphasizes the value of closely examining the small details. Drawing on lessons learned from his grandfather, he recounts the story of designing the Nest thermostat and realizing that the choice of screws could make or break the user experience. “We thought that was going to solve the problem. But it turned out, it didn’t. So we went back to the drawing board just instantly after we figured out we didn’t get it right. And we designed a special screw, a custom screw, much to the chagrin of our investors.”

By focusing on these tiny, often overlooked elements, Fadell and his team were able to create a seamless installation experience for customers, a key factor in the product’s success.

Think Younger

Fadell’s final piece of advice is to cultivate a beginner’s mindset, drawing inspiration from the curious questions of children. “Every day, I’m confronted with interesting questions from my three young kids. They come up with questions like, ‘Why can’t cars fly around traffic?’ Or, ‘Why don’t my shoelaces have Velcro instead?’ Sometimes, those questions are smart.”

Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is when he or she grows up, is how to remain an artist.” Fadell encourages us to tap into that childlike wonder and willingness to challenge the status quo. “We all saw the world more clearly when we saw it for the first time, before a lifetime of habits got in the way. Our challenge is to get back there, to feel that frustration, to see those little details, to look broader, look closer, and to think younger so we can stay beginners.”

The Power of Seeing the Invisible

Fadell’s message is a powerful one: by fighting the natural tendency towards habituation, we can unlock our ability to see the world with fresh eyes and uncover the invisible problems waiting to be solved. Whether it’s in the realm of product design, entrepreneurship, or any other field, the capacity to notice the small details and question the accepted norms can lead to transformative breakthroughs.

As Fadell eloquently states, “Our challenge is to wake up each day and say, ‘How can I experience the world better?’ And if we do, maybe, just maybe, we can get rid of these dumb little stickers.” By embracing this mindset, we can tap into our innate human potential to create, innovate, and make the world a better place, one invisible problem at a time.