The Piano Stairs Experiment

In 2009, Volkswagen ran a social experiment in Stockholm to see if adding some fun to a mundane or even reluctant task could change behavior. They installed motion-sensitive musical steps on a staircase next to an escalator in a subway station, turning it into a giant piano. The result was an amazing 66% increase in people choosing the stairs over the escalator.

This experiment was part of The Fun Theory, which suggests that when something is enjoyable, we naturally want to do it more. The piano stairs didn’t make climbing easier, but they made it more engaging. With them in place, commuters saw a chance to play instead of dreading the stairs.

This idea shows us a bit about our options for managing habits in everyday life. When movement feels like play, it stops being a chore. That’s why I love biking to get around. I use my bike as transportation, which means the commuting that I need to do is now something I also want to do. Instead of resenting the time it takes to get where I need to go, I get to be on my bike with the fresh air, the rhythm of pedaling, and the feeling of my body moving.

I’ve also made an effort to find ways to make walking more fun, like dance-walking instead of just going through the motions. I’ll glance around to see if anyone is watching, but even when I get “caught,” it’s more fun than embarrassing. Sometimes, I get to experience how joy is contagious—I’ll even get a smile or a head nod in return. With a little creativity, something ordinary can become something enjoyable.

The big takeaway from the piano stairs experiment for me is this: If you want to stick with a habit, make it fun. Whether it’s exercise, work, or daily routines, adding a playful element can turn a should do into a want to. It’s worth the creative effort.

Action: Find a way to make work more fun today. Add music, turn a task into a challenge, reward yourself for progress, or change your environment. See if a little creativity can make routine work more enjoyable.