For years, my morning routine included stopping at my favorite coffee shop—after taking kids to school and before heading to work.
One day, it started to feel more like a chore than an inspiration. That’s when I realized it wasn’t the coffee I wanted. Instead:
I had an underlying motivator that inspired me to stop.
I used picking up a coffee to transition from my “early morning routine” to “work mode.”
While ordering, I’d chat with the staff. After getting my coffee, I’d linger at the stand-up counter to soak up the atmosphere and energy of the bustling crowd. I’d check messages and plan a few tasks.
Sometimes I’d run into people I knew.
I often worked from home, so this connection added energy to my morning and clarity to my thinking.
I’d head out only after I refreshed my ideas about my priorities for the day.
When the company redesigned the store, it eliminated the stand-up counter and instead showcased products. They reduced tables and minimized space to linger so traffic flow would be more efficient.
I no longer see a reason to go to the coffee shop. I make coffee at home.
It’s essential to understand what underlying motivators matter most to customers when they interact with your company.
Otherwise, it’s easy to misunderstand challenges and miss out on opportunities that could have led to real growth.