Famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright hated the newly installed power lines near his Taliesin West home in Arizona so much he did something radical.
He completely reversed his house to avoid looking at them.
The front became the back.
The back became the front.
Because Wright understood something powerful: our environment shapes behaviour.
Yet most of us do the opposite.
We try to change ourselves instead of changing what surrounds us.
I see this all the time when presenting.
People seated with their backs to the stage will twist and contort themselves just to see what’s going on.
It’s only when I give them permission to move their chair that they realise that’s an option.
Take a look around your space.
What could you change to make it more comfortable, or more productive?
- Could your desk be repositioned so you feel more focused and at ease?
- Is your couch making you slouch?
- Should your lighting be brighter when working, softer when winding down?
- Could healthier food be placed in plain sight, and less healthy options tucked away?
Wright’s changes were extreme.
Yours don’t have to be.
🌟 If you found this interesting, let me know! Buy me a virtual coffee ☕ or forward this email ↗️ to someone who also might like it. Your support means I can keep sharing ideas about behavioural science for free.
🧠 Learn the science of Influencing Action
Hey, are we connected yet?
