Subtract unwanted affordances before adding desired ones…
Remove or relocate objects that afford unwanted behaviors before adding objects that afford desired behaviors, because elimination removes temptation entirely while addition only competes for attention.
When This Fires
- When redesigning an environment for behavioral change
- When desired-behavior triggers aren't working despite being placed prominently — check for competing affordances
- When applying Place trigger objects at eye level in routine paths… (trigger placement) — first remove what shouldn't be there, then add what should
- When the workspace/home environment supports more unwanted than wanted behaviors
Common Failure Mode
Adding healthy snacks to the kitchen without removing unhealthy ones. Adding a book to the nightstand without removing the phone charger from the bedside. Adding a meditation cushion to the living room without removing the TV remote from the coffee table. In each case, the desired affordance competes against a stronger existing affordance and loses.
The Protocol
(1) Before adding any trigger or affordance for desired behavior, survey the environment for competing affordances. (2) For each competing affordance, ask: can I remove it, relocate it, or add friction to it? (3) Remove or relocate first: phone in another room, snacks in an inconvenient cabinet, TV remote in a drawer. (4) Only after competing affordances are reduced → add the desired affordance in the prominent position (Place trigger objects at eye level in routine paths…). (5) The goal state: the environment's dominant affordances invite the behaviors you want. Unwanted affordances are absent, hidden, or friction-laden. (6) Reassess periodically — new objects migrate into environments and introduce new competing affordances.