I used to be a dedicated coffee shop patron, dropping hundreds each month on my daily caffeine fix at Starbucks and independent cafés. The baristas often knew my name, my order, my schedule. It was part of my identity.

Then something changed. (Right around 2020, go figure…)

Today, I make most of my coffee at home with a Keurig or Nespresso.

The surprising part? I enjoy it more.

This shift got me thinking about how we sometimes resist changes that ultimately improve our lives.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Ritual vs. Reality The coffee shop wasn’t just about the coffee. It was about the routine, the interaction, the identity of being a “regular.” But when I separated the ritual from the reality, I discovered that great coffee was just one machine away.
2. Cost vs. Value While the initial investment in a good coffee system might seem high, it pays for itself remarkably quickly. In my case, within just a few months.
3. Convenience vs. Control Instead of structuring my morning around a coffee shop’s location and hours, I now have perfect coffee exactly when I want it, exactly how I like it. I ought to leave myself a big tip.
4. Quality vs. Perception There’s often a perception that “professional” means better. But modern home coffee systems can produce consistently excellent results, sometimes superior to busy coffee shops.

In “I Need That,” we explore how buying decisions are often tied to deeper emotional needs and ingrained habits. Sometimes the biggest barrier to adopting a better solution is our own resistance to change.

The coffee shop example illustrates a broader truth about product adoption: the status quo has a powerful hold on us, even when better alternatives exist.

Whether it’s coffee habits, software systems, or business processes, we often stick with familiar solutions long after they’ve ceased to be optimal.

Your challenge: Look at your own routines and spending habits. Where might you be holding onto an outdated solution out of habit rather than necessity?

What “coffee shop” in your life might be ready for disruption?

Remember, sometimes the best innovations don’t just solve problems — they create entirely new, better ways of doing things we’ve always done.

Here’s to finding better ways!

Laurier

P.S. What daily habit have you successfully changed that led to unexpected benefits? I’d love to hear your story!