Lift the Bowl

When my son was three, he wanted to help make pancakes. He climbed onto his stool, grabbed the spoon, and said, “I want to help, Dad—but I don’t need your help.” He was beaming, ready to take charge.

But things got messy fast. The bowl kept slipping, the spoon wobbled, and batter splattered everywhere. He tried gripping harder and using both hands, but his frustration grew. I offered a few suggestions—hold the spoon tighter, stir slower—but they only made things worse. That’s when it hit me: he didn’t need more instructions; he needed me to adjust the setup so he could keep doing it himself.

So… I lifted the bowl.

With the bowl steady, he could finally focus on stirring. His smile returned, and together, we got the batter just right. That small moment taught me that some solutions aren’t about pushing harder—they’re about meeting people where they are.

In problem-solving and user-centered design, the best solutions adapt to users, not the other way around. When we design with people’s real needs in mind, the experience becomes smoother, simpler, and far more rewarding.

*Also, I really like NC Wyeth and this image doesn't relate to the story.