Why do people usually miss patterns until it’s too late?

One thing I keep noticing when looking at different systems is that the signals of change are often visible long before the change itself becomes obvious.

In hindsight, the pattern looks clear.

But in the moment, most people either dismiss the signals or explain them away.

Sometimes it’s small behavioral shifts.
Sometimes it’s subtle changes in communication.
Sometimes it’s small inefficiencies starting to pile up.

Individually they look minor. Together they’re often the beginning of something much bigger.

Which makes me curious about something.