Status Quo Bias
People prefer things to stay the same unless there's compelling reason to change.
Explanation
We have a strong preference for the current state of affairs. Change requires mental energy and involves risk, while staying the same feels safe and effortless. This bias keeps us in mediocre situations longer than we should and makes us resist potentially beneficial changes.
Real-World Example
People stick with bad jobs, ineffective routines, or underperforming investments simply because they're familiar. Software users resist updates even when they improve functionality. Organizations maintain inefficient processes because 'that's how we've always done it.' Default retirement plan settings have huge impact because most people never change them.
How to Apply
When considering changes: Ask 'If I were starting fresh today, would I choose this?' Make the status quo feel riskier by highlighting its costs. Use trial periods to reduce commitment anxiety. When implementing changes: Make new way the default, not the alternative. Address concerns about loss, not just benefits of change.