![\"alt](\"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DtMZnBrWsAA97f6?format=jpg&name=900x900\")
The 10/10/10 is the framing of the outcome of a decision across three timeframes:
\nBy answering these questions, you gain a broader perspective that helps you make the right choice without being swayed by immediate emotions or temporary circumstances.
\nWhen I was 22, I had just moved to NYC, and I was trying to start my career by landing an interview on Wall Street. Of course, it was imperative for me to dress the part to land the job. With rapidly dwindling savings, I knew I couldn't afford a new suit.
\nI faced a dilemma: I could stay in every weekend to save up for it, or I could buy the suit on credit—continuing to enjoy the city life—and hope to pay it off eventually.
\nHere’s how the 10:10:10 method played out when I thought about buying on credit:
\nHow will I feel 10 minutes after buying the suit with a credit card?
\nHow will I feel 10 months after buying on credit?
\nHow will I feel 10 years after buying on credit?
\nI chose to live frugally for a while to save for the suit. Although I landed a job quickly, I was glad I avoided debt. As I later learned, job security on Wall Street can be volatile, so I was grateful for the cash cushion I had built in case the position didn't pan out.
\nBy asking "why" multiple times, we can gain a deeper understanding of the root causes behind a high-level problem.
\nThe goal is to land on a what or a how.
\nhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_Whys
\nA1. Why was she so controlling?
\nA2. Why was she afraid that I would get pregnant?
\nA3. Why didn't she teach that subject?
\nB1. Why did I want to explore my sexuality?
\nFeel free to use this tool for branching your thoughts.
\n" }, { "name": "Acceptance", "url": "/mental_models/acceptance/", "benefit": "Decrease negative emotions - Release judgment", "summary": "Accepting as it is decreases all the negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, shame, fear.", "html": "We all have negative emotions, and most of the time, these emotions arise from our expectations not matching reality. So, instead of changing reality, we can change our expectations, and these emotions will cease to exist. For that, we either need to understand the reason why bad events are happening or understand that there are reasons why they happened that we may not know.
\nRepeat this 4 times every day.
\nJealous of my boyfriend: I don't like it when I see other people have a close relationship with my partner, and it is normal for me to be jealous of him. I love him, and I don't want to share him. This feeling is totally natural.
\nAnger towards my partner: Sometimes, my partner does things that piss me off, and it is normal for me to be angry towards my partner. We are not the same person, and we won't have the same idea 100% of the time. When our ideas differ, we can talk it out. Sometimes, I lose control and get angry, but that's okay. I am human, after all.
\nShame at the swimming pool: I didn't feel good taking off my shirt. I was not comfortable with my body, and that's normal. Society and ads have trained my mind to think that everyone needs to have a nice body and thus made me feel this way. It's wrong, but rewiring my mind and accepting my body will take time, and I can continue feeling some shame until I learn to accept my body as it is.
\nDoubts about new business partner: I have my doubts about her. I don't know if it will work out, and it is normal for me to feel this way. I have been running away from commitments and group work all my life, and so I haven't had enough experience working with other people.
\nImpatience with others: Some people don't do things the way I do, and it is normal for me to feel impatience toward them. We all have different mindsets and ideas, and that's okay
\nFeeling misunderstood: I hate it when people misinterpret my intentions, and it's normal for me to feel bad about it. People see things differently, and as long as I know that my intentions are clear, I have nothing to be ashamed of.
\nProblems tend to arise when we fail to clearly align expectations with others. Such problems can be avoided if we foresee potential issues and proactively tell the other person what to expect. Communication errors usually stem from incorrect assumptions. This process is reciprocal: we can align others' expectations, just as they can align ours. It is our responsibility to make sure both our expectations and those of others are aligned. It is unrealistic to think everyone will do a good job at this, so it is our responsibility to take control.
\nSituation: When inviting guests over, assuming they like the same food as we do creates a high chance of conflict.
\nCommunication: Hey guys, I'm going to cook X, Y, and Z. Let me know if anyone has dietary restrictions or preferences.
\nSituation: Going to the spa with a friend. One friend might view it as an opportunity to relax in peace without talking.
\nCommunication: By the way, I feel like just relaxing and meditating today, so I’ll mostly be quiet and close my eyes while we’re there.
\nSituation: A new hire doesn’t know when they will meet the rest of the team or how the onboarding process will unfold.
\nCommunication: Hey, over the next 2 weeks I will set up calls occasionally introducing you to different team members. The specific days aren't set yet, but Tuesday or Wednesday nights will likely work. Until then, you can continue the work with me & Sam. You'll slowly start working with others after 1 month.
\nSituation: I’m waiting for someone to complete a task so I can make a decision.
\nCommunication: Hey, can you help align my expectations on when this will be finished? Can you give me a range—a best-case and worst-case ETA?
\nSituation: I don't know the headcount, so I'm unsure how much food to prepare.
\nCommunication: Hey, can you give me a guest count estimate so I can prepare food accordingly?
\nSituation: Someone wants a task completed, but since I don't know its urgency, I'm unsure how to prioritize it.
\nCommunication: Hey, can you tell me how urgent this is? I currently have these three tasks: A (5 hours), B (25 hours), and C (15 hours).
\nIn this example, I am aligning time expectations for each task while simultaneously requesting prioritization.
\n" }, { "name": "Alternative", "url": "/mental_models/alternative/", "benefit": "Improves decision making", "summary": "Helps find a way forward", "html": "When facing a problem, we often think too narrowly. We think about the first few options we can imagine, select one, and move forward. This approach works for many decisions, but some benefit greatly from exploring a bit more.
\nBy using this practice, your mind will be able to come up with a wider range of possibilities.
\nProblem: Partner is annoying
\nSolutions:
\nProblem: Someone from a call center calls you.
\nSolutions:
\nProblem: You're thirsty but don't feel like getting up
\nSolutions:
\nAsymmetrical Risks: The upside is very small, but the downside is huge.\nAsymmetrical Opportunities: The downside is very small, but the upside is huge.
\nBeing aware of whether an action is asymmetric helps us avoid crippling outcomes while making it easier to seek opportunistic actions.
\nExample:\nTexting while driving.
\nBenefit: Seeing a funny cat picture.
\nRisk: Being crippled for life.
\nExample:\nUnprotected sex.
\nBenefit: Short-term pleasure.
\nRisk: Contracting HIV for the rest of your life.
\nExample:\nMessaging people.
\nBenefit: Meeting a lifelong friend
\nRisk: One minute of your life lost.
\nMethod 1: Think of an action you will take today. What are its positive and negative asymmetric values?
\nMethod 2: Think of a concept. What actions would provide a positive asymmetric value, and what actions would provide a negative one?
\nI am going to Ubud from Canggu. What are some actions that would provide me with asymmetry?
\nI am working on Colonist.io (my game). What are some actions that might provide me with asymmetry?
\nWatch from 47:00 to 50:00\nNaval's list\nJames List
\n" }, { "name": "Attention", "url": "/mental_models/attention/", "benefit": "Growth", "summary": "What you give attention to grows, what you don't declines", "html": "Whatever our mind dwells on, it strengthens that concept. The stronger a concept becomes, the more we tend to embody its characteristics. Therefore, it is crucial to understand where we direct our attention. These practices do not focus on methods for changing attention, but rather on becoming aware of where it currently lies.\nEven by simply being aware of our attention, we subconsciously start changing it.
\nConcepts: Being hydrated, my weight, housemate's pretty friends, IQ of people, mental models, code, girl I like.\nNow, I would rank them from most useful to least useful as follows:
\nThis shows what I should invite more into my life and what I should avoid. Of course, I use other mental models to categorize these, and using different mental tools will help me prioritize them in different ways.
\n\n" }, { "name": "Bottleneck", "url": "/mental_models/bottleneck/", "benefit": "Coming soon", "summary": "Coming soon", "html": "Most of the time we get stuck while doing something, it is because we are focused on a high level of perfection or the finish line. Often, the finish line is far away and our minds work against us, telling us not to even start. Breaking down a goal into the smallest, most easily achievable pieces will guarantee we achieve the small goal and increase our chances of achieving the bigger goal.
\nI had a friend who ran a 100k. After 30k, he was exhausted; his legs were tired, and he slammed to the ground. After 30 minutes of sitting, he asked himself, "Can I get up and walk 100m?" The answer, of course, was yes. He got up and walked 100m. When he was about to reach 100m, he asked himself, "Can I walk 1k?" The answer again was, "Of course". Before he reached 1k, he asked, "Can I run 1k?" Then he asked, "Can I make it to the next station?" By then, he was back on track. Then he hit another bottleneck and asked himself, "Can I rest for 15 minutes, then walk for 1k?" Eventually, he completed the 100k.
\nBy breaking down the problem into guaranteed, achievable goals, he achieved the larger goal.
\nI use this a lot in other areas of my life.
\nThis is a skill that needs practice to improve.
\nThe main parts of this skill are as follows:
\nMaking tough decisions is hard. People are inclined to avoid or procrastinate rather than make a decision. Putting an artificial deadline in place forces your mind to reach a decision within the set timeframe.
\nWhenever there's a to-do, set an artificial deadline and do your best to enforce it. Train your mind to think, "I must have a decision by this time." If you can't make a decision now, the interim decision should be, "I will figure it out by this specific time/day."
\nYou need to decide whether or not to hire a candidate. After due diligence, you believe he fits the criteria, but you feel as though something is missing that you can't yet identify. Instead of deciding right away, set a deadline. "By 6pm on Monday, I'll make a decision." At five minutes to 6:00, you probably don't have the answer but within those final five minutes, something clicks -- and by 6:00pm the answer is there.
\nOn Monday - your friend asks you to go out on Saturday. You miss hanging out with your friend, but you also want to spend time working on pending tasks. Instead of over-committing or declining right away, set a deadline. "By Thursday 5pm, I will make a decision." This will give you time to rethink and see if you can get things done. By Thursday morning, you have already finished your pending tasks. By 5 p.m., you can confidently decide whether or not to go out.
\nYou receive two job offers from Company A and B. Both were promising, making it difficult to decide which one to accept. Both offer the same compensation, and have great feedback. You set a deadline, "By 9pm on Monday, I will make a decision." A few minutes before 9pm, something clicks and you suddenly feel like you want to join Company A.
\nMaking a decision often causes anxiety due to the fear of making the wrong one. By setting a clear deadline for yourself, your mind is trained to actually reach a conclusion. You will eventually realize that whichever decision you choose is the one you always wanted; you were just afraid of regret. Over time, this will help you let go of anxiety and make decisions more easily.
\n" }, { "name": "Desire Source", "url": "/mental_models/desire-source/", "benefit": "Better decisions", "summary": "Understanding where your desire comes from will allow control over the decision", "html": "Desires can be categorized in many ways, but a fundamental distinction is between external and internal sources.
\nAn external desire is derived from outside sources and often ceases to exist once that source is removed. Internal desires usually take decades to form; therefore, they are not expected to fade easily. Each desire has a trigger; when encountered, the desire is activated.
\nKnowing where a desire originates helps us gain control over our decisions.
\nPursuing internal desires is generally more effective than external ones due to the compounding effect. An external desire might fade, leaving us resenting our work, whether it is a job, a hobby, or a business. By understanding these sources, we can intentionally place ourselves in situations where we are exposed to specific triggers, ensuring a beneficial desire continues.
\nGoal: Creating a Shopify startup in Singapore.
\nSource: Seeing an "auntie" having a hard time selling her food via WhatsApp.
\nFade Factor: When I stop interacting with her, my desire to solve that specific problem goes away.
\nGoal: Creating dance videos.
\nSource: Watching my friends' dance videos on Instagram and TikTok.
\nFade Factor: When I unfollow those friends, my desire to create similar content goes away.
\nMimetic freedom: You don't pick up desires watching others
\n" }, { "name": "Devil's Advocate", "url": "/mental_models/devils-advocate/", "benefit": "Thinking from the opposing side", "summary": "Coming Soon", "html": "Devil’s advocate position. This was once an official position in the Catholic Church used during the process of canonizing people as saints. Once someone is canonized, the decision is eternal, so it was critical to get it right. Hence this position was created for someone to advocate from the Devil’s point of view against the deceased person’s case for sainthood.
\nMore broadly, playing the Devil’s advocate means taking up an opposing side of an argument, even if it is one you don’t agree with. One approach is to force yourself literally to write down different cases for a given decision or appoint different members in a group to do so. Another, more effective approach is to proactively include people in a decision-making process who are known to hold opposing viewpoints. Doing so will help everyone involved more easily see the strength in other perspectives and force you to craft a more compelling argument in favor of what you believe. As Charlie Munger says, “I never allow myself to have an opinion on anything that I don’t know the other side’s argument better than they do.”
\nExcerpt From: Gabriel Weinberg. “Super Thinking.” iBooks.
\nIf you’re someone who, when you get a 2-minute break, immediately checks social media or starts playing games, this practice may be helpful for you.
\nIn this practice, we will train your mind in two key skills:
\nUnhealthy dopamine hits can come in many forms. For example, I like going on Colonist.io, tetr.io, or playing a quick game of chess. Some people default to social media like Instagram or TikTok. Others default to porn sites, messaging platforms, dating apps, news sites, or eating. Note that not all dopamine hits are unhealthy.
\nBeing aware of what we’re doing is the first step. We don’t necessarily need to change our behavior at this stage, but simply noticing it while it’s happening is a required skill.
\nReplacing your dopamine hit can also take many forms. Some people find it easier to meditate, while others prefer journaling. Here are a few examples to give you a better idea of where you can start. Planning your next tasks, using a hand gripper, organizing, cleaning, stretching, or drinking water.
\nNote that this exercise is only meant to improve your identification skills. As you do this exercise, you’ll see that you get better and better at finding the ideal replacement.
\nEverything has a default state and requires energy to move it away from that default state. Energy is also required to establish a new default state. Additionally, energy is required to maintain the system in its desired state. Sometimes, this energy can be outsourced.
\nExample: A relationship’s default state is non-existent. If left alone, the relationship will naturally migrate back to its default state.
\nExample: A company’s default state is non-existent. If left alone, the company will also migrate back to its default state.
\nExample: Weddings transfer part of the energy requirement from the couple to society and legal systems. Thus, marriage decreases the minimum energy required to keep the relationship going. In other words, it increases the amount of energy required to end the relationship.
\nExtra: https://www.reddit.com/r/mentalmodels/comments/cunrat/entropy/
\nDec (Actions that decrease energy usage)
\nInc (Actions that increase energy usage)
\n" }, { "name": "Finish", "url": "/mental_models/finish/", "benefit": "Productivity", "summary": "Executing to the end brings results. Leaving it doesn't", "html": "This is an evolved form of the “Next Steps” model: https://mmpractices.com/mental_models/next-step/
\nWhen we contact our superior with an issue or update, we should have the full plan laid out. He shouldn’t be asking questions like “So?” or “What’s next?”. All the “what” questions should already be answered. He should instead be asking questions to better understand, such as why.. how... Or telling you to move forward with it.
Bad Employee: It is hard for me to test these A/B tests because I have to create a new account.
\nManager: So? What do you want me to do? Why not solve your problem?
\nBad Employee2: It is hard for me to test these A/B tests. Can you create a task for devs so they can implement a feature where I can change my A/B tests?
\nManager: Why don’t you create it?
\nGood Employee: It is hard for me to test these A/B tests, so I created a task for the devs to implement a feature that allows me to easily change them.
\nManager: 👍
\nBad Employee: You shouldn’t post such things to Reddit.
\nManager: What things? There are four posts there.
\nGood Employee: You shouldn’t post this to Reddit: url of post. The other three posts are fine. You should:
url of postManager: Ok, I deleted the bad post.
\nBad employee: We cannot ship this to your location
\nManager: Then what should I do?
\nGood Employee: Shipping is not possible to your location. However, there's an option for us to hire a 3rd party delivery service. It's more expensive, but delivery is guaranteed.
\nIf you’re able to answer the “what’s next?” along with all the “what” items in the initial report, this will help avoid further back-and-forth with your superior and give the impression that you’re an effective employee.
\n" }, { "name": "First Principles", "url": "/mental_models/first-principles/", "benefit": "Decision Making", "summary": "Increases chance of right solution", "html": "First principles thinking is a problem-solving method that involves breaking down complex problems into their most fundamental components and then rebuilding solutions from the ground up.
\nA common approach is making small, incremental improvements to existing solutions, often referred to as analogous thinking. While quick, this approach is often less effective and less adaptable than solutions developed from First Principles.
\nExample: A restaurant owner might want to reduce the amount of food served to increase profit margins. A first-principles thinker would ask “Why?” and realize that the real goal is to increase profit. They would then explore alternative ways to achieve the same outcome, such as automating part of the workforce or importing materials from lower-cost suppliers.
\nStep 1. Identify the problem or task you are facing
\nStep 2. Break down the problem or task into smaller parts
\nStep 3. Gather enough information about each of the parts
\nStep 4. Think about how the parts fit together.
\nStep 5. Choose the best solution and try it out.
\nNutrition: "How much am I eating? How many calories should I consume to lose weight? What types of food should I eat?"
\nExercise: "What types of physical activity do I enjoy? How much physical activity am I getting?"
\nSleep: "How much sleep am I getting? Am I getting good quality of sleep? Are there any changes I can make to improve my sleep?"
\nhttps://jamesclear.com/first-principles\nhttps://www.ted.com/talks/elon_musk_the_mind_behind_tesla_spacex_solarcity\nhttps://www.mindtools.com/ag6pkn9/root-cause-analysis
\n" }, { "name": "Gratitude", "url": "/mental_models/gratitude/", "benefit": "Increases positive thoughts", "summary": "Being grateful helps us look at things from a positive perspective.", "html": "Scientists have found that gratitude stimulates pathways in the brain involved in feelings of reward, forming social bonds, and interpreting others’ intentions.
\nIt also makes it easier to store and retrieve positive memories.
\nAdditionally, gratitude directly counteracts negative feelings and traits such as envy, social comparison, narcissism, cynicism, and materialism.
\nAs a consequence, people who practice gratitude consistently tend to be happier and more satisfied.
\nThey have better relationships, find it easier to make friends, sleep better, tend to suffer less from depression, addiction, and burnout, and are better at coping with traumatic events.
\nIn a way, gratitude makes it less likely that you’ll fall into the psychological traps modern life has set for you.
\nFor example, gratitude measurably counters the tendency to forget or downplay positive events. If you work long and hard for something, finally achieving it can feel surprisingly empty. You may find yourself emotionally back where you started, chasing the next big goal and seeking satisfaction externally instead of feeling satisfied with yourself.
\nOr imagine being lonely and wanting more friends. You might already have one or more people who want to hang out with you, but still feel that it’s not enough, judge yourself harshly, and feel bad about yourself. As a result, you might turn down their invitations and become even more lonely.
\nIf you feel grateful for your relationships instead, you might accept invitations or even take the initiative yourself. The more often you risk opening up, the higher the chance of strengthening existing relationships and meeting new people.
\nIn the best case, gratitude can trigger a positive feedback loop. Positive feelings lead to more prosocial behavior, which leads to more positive social experiences, creating even more positive feelings. This is a common experience after serious hardship, such as chemotherapy.
\nLife can feel extraordinarily meaningful after a crisis is over. The smallest things can become bottomless sources of joy, from being able to taste food, to sitting in the sun, or simply chatting with a friend
\nEvery morning, write three different sentences about what you are grateful for.
\nYou can use the following 4 items to guide you;
\nKurzgesagt – In a Nutshell - An Antidote to Dissatisfaction\nThellimist - Happiness in 5 minutes
\n" }, { "name": "High Agency", "url": "/mental_models/high-agency/", "benefit": "Removes limiting beliefs", "summary": "High agency people look for ways to overcome a problem rather than accepting it as their limit.", "html": "A high-agency person seeks to bend reality to their will. They either find a way or make one.
\nA low-agency person accepts reality as it is given to them. They don’t question it. They are passive. They outsource their decision-making to others.
\nPerson A is Low Agency whereas person B is High Agency
\nMethod 2:
\nMethod 3:
\nExample 1
\nExample 2
\nExample
\nExample
\ninformation sharing protocol. Self-honesty is the upper bound for honesty towards others.
\nThe “Hourly Rate Principle” is a decision-making framework for managing your time based on the value you generate in one hour of work. It suggests using your actual hourly earnings as a reference point when deciding between alternative activities that require different amounts of time (e.g., commuting by taxi or bus).
\nT1 minutes instead of a cheap alternative that will take T2 > T1 minutes.Suppose you earn $100 per hour. Your commute options are:
\nIf the taxi costs less than $50, choosing it would be beneficial according to the Hourly Rate Principle. The 30 minutes saved could be spent working, generating a potential $50 (half your hourly rate). However, if the taxi costs more than $50, the bus may be the better choice because the money saved outweighs the potential value of the time saved.
\nSuppose you run a side business and spend significant time on administrative tasks that could be outsourced. If you earn:
\nThe Hourly Rate Principle suggests outsourcing those tasks and dedicating your time to higher-value work.
\nSuppose you need to learn a new skill for work:
\nThe Hourly Rate Principle is a decision-making tool. While it can guide you toward a more efficient use of your time, it should be used alongside other factors that contribute to your overall well-being.
\n" }, { "name": "Identity Change", "url": "/mental_models/identity-change/", "benefit": "Upgrade habits", "summary": "Changing our identity has stronger impact than changing our habits", "html": "Imagine two people resisting a cigarette. When offered a smoke, the first person says, “No thanks. I’m trying to quit.” It sounds like a reasonable response, but this person still believes they are a smoker trying to become something else. They are hoping their behavior will change while holding on to the same beliefs.
\nThe second person declines by saying, “No thanks. I’m not a smoker.” It’s a small difference, but this statement signals a shift in identity. Smoking belonged to their former life, not their current one. They no longer identify as someone who smokes.
\n\n\nMost people don’t even consider identity change when they set out to improve. They think, “I want to be skinny (outcome), and if I stick to this diet, then I’ll be skinny (process).” They set goals and decide on the actions needed to achieve them without examining the beliefs driving those actions. They never change how they see themselves, and they don’t realize that their old identity can sabotage their new plans for change - Atomic Habits
\n
Of course, this skill is not as straightforward as it seems. You’ll notice that it doesn’t always work immediately. The reason is the same as with everything else — you have to ease into it. If you’re 100 kg and you start saying, “I am a healthy person,” you may experience cognitive dissonance. The gap between your current reality and your new identity may feel too wide. It might make more sense to tell yourself, “I am someone who acts like a 90 kg person.” Once you reach that mark, you can gradually move to 80 kg, and so on.
\nThere are three types of decision-making:
\nIntuition is what you feel about a certain action, event, place, or person after separating emotion and logic. It gives a clear internal signal about whether something will be good or bad for you.
\nLength: 2 minutes (the practice takes around 2 minutes)
\nGoing to Toastmasters: I feel excited when I imagine going there.
\nNot going: I feel anxious, like I am missing something.
\nGoing to the BBQ party: I feel like it will be interesting, and I’ll get to meet new people and spend time with my friends.
\nNot going to the BBQ party: I feel like I will miss out on a lot of fun with my friends and the opportunity to meet new people.
\nAllotting an extra hour for work: I feel productive and confident that I will be able to finish my pending tasks.
\nNot working: I feel anxious that I will have unfinished tasks and that I might not meet my deadlines.
\nKnowing cognitive biases increases the strength of intuitive thinking.
\n" }, { "name": "Inversion", "url": "/mental_models/inversion/", "benefit": "Avoid stupidity", "summary": "Breaking crippling habits is easier than seeking brilliant solutions", "html": "Thinking about how we can achieve our goal is forward thinking. Thinking about the ways we might fail to achieve our goal is backward thinking. Inversion is backward thinking.
\nBy inverting our thoughts, we can identify and eliminate the behaviors that prevent us from achieving our goals.
\nCharlie Munger collects examples of foolish behavior and avoids them. In one video, he explains this concept between 01:29 - 04:02.
\nWe are prone to thinking that life improves through addition. A new house will make life better. A new friend will add excitement. A new car will make me happier.
\nInstead of addition, try subtraction.
\nRemove a negative relationship from your life.
\nCancel one subscription.
\nDrop a mindset that’s holding you back.
\nThe amount of serendipity that will occur in your life, your Luck Surface Area, is directly proportional to the degree to which you do something you're passionate about combined with the total number of people to whom this is effectively communicated. It's a simple concept, but an extremely powerful one because what it implies is that you can directly control the amount of luck you receive. In other words, you make your own luck. source
\n![\"luck](\"/assets/img/luck-surface-area.png\")
\nMethod 1 From doing:\nThink of something you're doing.\nHow much energy are you putting into doing that thing?\nHow much energy are you putting into talking about that thing?\nWhich one do you need to increase/decrease in order to achieve your largest Luck Surface Area?\nWhat are ways I can do more doing/talking?
\nMethod 2 From telling:\nThink of something you're telling.\nHow much energy are you putting into doing that thing?\nHow much energy are you putting into talking about that thing?\nWhich one do you need to increase/decrease in order to achieve your largest Luck Surface Area?\nWhat are ways I can do more doing/talking?
\nDoing: Working on my game\nDoing Energy: 10\nTelling Energy: 1
\nI should do more telling to increase my Luck Surface Area
\nWhat are ways I can do more talking?
\nDoing: Breakdance\nDoing Energy: 10\nTelling Energy: 0
\nI should start telling people
\nWhat are ways I can do more telling?
\nA concept is like a vehicle, depth of topic is mass and time spent on topic is velocity.
\nSome examples might be:
\nFor this example, we’ll use losing weight.
\n![\"spectrum](\"https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/files.fisher.osu.edu/leadreadtoday/public/inline-images/batts.png?VersionId=UbLG13tY5c5jmI4VdGRNGdzjNDDxrIra\")
Disinterested
\n\n\nI see no value in losing 25 pounds. I may not be pleased with my weight or diet, but I have no intention of acting on this goal — it feels too overwhelming right now.
\n
External
\n\n\nI really want to win the prize our health insurance company is offering if I achieve my weight-loss goal over the next six months.
\n
Imposed
\n\n\nI feel a lot of pressure to lose weight. My family members are worried about my health, and I feel guilty about disappointing them.
\n
Aligned
\n\n\nI value my health, and losing weight is one way to honor that value. I look forward to losing twenty-five pounds. It is a healthy choice for me.
\n
Integrated
\n\n\nPart of my life purpose is to be a role model for my children and to have the energy to be involved in their lives. Losing twenty-five pounds will give me the vitality I need to fulfill that purpose.
\n
Inherent
\n\n\nI am genuinely enthusiastic about losing weight. This new diet sounds fun and exciting. I enjoy trying new approaches.
\n
Is your need for autonomy satisfied?
\nIs your need for relatedness satisfied?
\nIs your need for competence satisfied?
\nAre you using mindfulness to self-regulate?
\nAre you using values to self-regulate?
\nAre you using purpose to self-regulate?
\nAligned: First, clarify your values. Take the values test. Then connect your goal to those values.
\nIntegrated: Clarify your life purpose. Then tie your goal to that purpose.
\nInherent: Think back to your childhood and identify activities where you lost track of time and felt deep enjoyment. Then connect those elements to your goal.
\nThink about your goal again and write down what you feel. You are looking for signs such as:
\nTool from Why Motivating People Doesn't Work
\n" }, { "name": "Next Step", "url": "/mental_models/next-step/", "benefit": "Make more progress", "summary": "Go an additional step", "html": "Many times we tend to leave things at a certain stage where we could have made more progress. We either switch tasks, wait for approval or get someone else to tell us how to proceed. During these times it is mostly a good option to go forward another step and maybe another and maybe another until the process is fully complete and delivered.
\nWhenever you're looking to submit a task, write down the following,
\nWhat I am working on: (write what you're working on in 1 sentence)\nWhat are the next steps after submission: (write down the steps your boss, colleague, partner or you will do)\nWhich of these next steps can I do: (select the part of the steps you can do before submitting)
\nWhat I am working on: Working on a UI design
What are the next steps after submission:
\nWhich of these next steps can I do: I can do steps all through 1-9. For 10 & 11 I can give the implementation tasks to developers and get them to create a/b tests. For 12 & 13 I can get someone to check the analytics for me to see if they have performed better or worse. For 14 & 15 I can decide if the feature was a success or not and get it released to all the players.
Find a case where you judged others, yourself, cat, anything and try to understand that person instead, understand yourself why you’re feeling what you’re feeling etc..
\nMost of our relationships are organic and we rarely sit down and think what we're getting out of the relationship. Sometimes we're together with someone just because of familiarity even if it is toxic. On another note when asked we tend to not be able to say why we like someone because usually the reason is the sum of 1000 little things. Those 1000 things are what our subconscious thinks we need at that point in time.
\nAnother thing to note is, each relationship has an ideal proximity. Getting too close to a certain person might be disastrous. We can share a certain part of our life with someone and not other parts. For example someone we get along very well with might not be the ideal housemate or business partner. Someone we love might not be our ideal companion.
\nThis practice increases our skills in surrounding ourselves with the right people at the right level of proximity.
\nNot all items on your to-do list are created equal, so in order to make the biggest leaps in the shortest amount of time, you’d be best off ruthlessly prioritizing them. Identifying the single most important task and just doing that will yield greater results rather than trying to finish random tasks in the TODO list.
\n\nRepeat this 4 times.
\nOne thing I can do, such that by doing it everything else will become easier or unnecessary?
\nOne thing I can do, such that by doing it everything else will become easier or unnecessary?
\nYou can either chase a job, a girl, or a position; or you can upgrade yourself in such a way that these things chase you.\nThis mental model helps identify ways we can be chased rather than being a chaser
\nhttps://crazypolymath.substack.com/p/how-to-become-an-opportunity-magnet
\nThis is the reason why self-help books fail to help 90+% of the readers.
\nEverything in life has prerequisites.
\nIf someone wants to learn Basic Arithmetic they need to learn Numbers first.\nIf someone wants to start a startup, they need to have enough secure runway (funds)
\nThe reason why something is not working is ALWAYS that the prerequisites are not there.
\nFor someone to start losing weight they have prerequisites that need to be fulfilled, giving them advice will bounce off of them 99% of the time.
\nIf one of these doesn't exist the person will not be able to gain muscle. Thus the person should stop worrying about gaining muscle and start fulfilling all of the prerequisites. Then gaining muscle will happen on its own.
\n" }, { "name": "Principle of Charity", "url": "/mental_models/principle-of-charity/", "benefit": "Better Judgement", "summary": "Assume the best interpretation of people’s arguments to increase their accuracy", "html": "The principle of charity is about assuming the best in what someone says. We often think someone's argument has logical fallacies or irrationality. But we should be aware that their arguments came from rational and logic. This will increase the accuracy of the argument and we'll be able to move forward to a more correct outcome.
\nWhen you apply the principle of charity, you're looking for what's right rather than what's wrong.
\nhttps://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/logical-and-critical-thinking/0/steps/9148
\n" }, { "name": "Process", "url": "/mental_models/process/", "benefit": "Decreases burnout, increases consistency", "summary": "Having a process & aim instead of goals make it more likely achieving it.", "html": "Goal: Is a certain point on a scale which we want to achieve in a certain amount of time. Ex: 100 pushups in 1 month
\nAim: A direction we want to go. Ex: Strong arms
\nWhen we set a goal we make many assumptions. We don't know whether our body, life, mind, time, relationships are suited in a way to achieve the goal in the given time. But we have created expectations of ourselves. This will create anxiety in many scenarios such as
\nand such anxieties will increase our chances of changing the goal thus goal never being achieved. This is why smaller goals have a higher percentage completion rates than bigger goals.
\nGoals are dangerous, should be avoided and replaced by aims. Aims are directions we want to go in. They do not create anxiety or stress. It is just there pointing us.
\nTo go towards our aims we should have processes.
\nBy having aim + process instead of goals we decrease the negative possibilities while keeping the positives which is
\nNote1: A process is a Small Consistent Set of Goals. If you make the process hard it will be the same as setting a normal goal.
Note2: If you stop doing your process this means that your process is too hard. Dial it down. If your process includes 30 minutes of workout everyday and you stop doing it, decrease it to 10, if it is still too much decrease it to 5 or even 1 minute. The compounding effect of doing 5 minute workout per day will be better than a 30 minute push and then stopping doing it.
\nGames can be categorized in 2 ways
\nTheme park games hold the player by the hand and takes them through the theme park. Candy Crush is a good example. The levels are predefined and the player doesn't have to decide what to do next.
\nIn sandbox games the player is thrown into a world and then they have to decide what they want to do. Minecraft is a good example. The player can choose to build a village, mine, fight zombies, create structures etc..
\nOur society is a theme park society.
\nParents tell us what to do, what to eat, what to wear.
\nSchools tell us what to study, how to study.
\nOur whole life is structured in front of us and we won't fail as long as we follow the guide and never make a decision. In such a society where all the quests are externally assigned it is hard to cultivate internal quest assignment skill.
\nPlay sandbox games. Some notable examples are Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto, Garry's Mod, Roblox, Kerbal Space Program, The Sims, Dawn of Crafting. It is better if you choose an MMO with a big world. The number of decisions & interactions you can make will be exponentially higher.
\nI say "yes", because I don't want to be rude to people and mostly when I say "no", I feel that person feels bad about it. There might be different cases for saying "yes", but in my case, I was thinking that saying yes to an offer, question or a request makes the thing easier.
\nBut saying "yes", can sometimes cause problems, like burn-out or bad feelings. In some cases you might end up saying "yes" to a case which you can't handle.
\nSo being able to say "no" to certain things can help to maintain your mental health. As well as provide better decision making in long-run.
\nNote that all of these examples & practices are to develop your "no" muscle. You should go as wild as you can with the simulations.
\nI imagine myself going down the street in a chill mode. Some old lady requests me to help with carrying her bags.
\nI imagine saying "no I am in a hurry", doesn't matter if I am or I am not. It will train my "no" muscle. I imagine her saying okay and requesting help from the next person.
\nI imagine surfing on the internet and my friend texts me that I need to fix/do something.\nI imagine saying "no, I am exhausted today, I'm in my chill time, I'll look at it tomorrow"
\nI imagine my sister wanting me to get up and check the food in 10 minutes.\nI imagine telling her "no, I am concentrated right now. You need to figure out another method which doesn't involve me"
\nVideo : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O_y4XR4yxg
\n" }, { "name": "Scale", "url": "/mental_models/scale/", "benefit": "Understanding Systems", "summary": "The rules of systems change at different scales", "html": "Every system has certain rules and principles. We tend to think that whatever rule there is will continue being correct for all scales but that is not the case. The most notable example comes from physics. Classical physics vs Quantum physics. Anyone familiar with it will know that the rules of the game are completely different for both of them.
\nAnother example comes from biology. The cells in our body live by different rules than us humans. And us humans live by different rules than human societies (companies, countries, humanity). As the scale changes the rules change. A notable example of this is individual humans trying to tackle global warming. This is like a cell in my body trying to fix my relationship problems. Each scale can only solve its own problems. Cells can solve organ problems, organs can solve human problems, humans can solve society problems and societies can solve global problems. So someone who knows this mental model, will not try to fix the earth but instead work on upgrading its company or country as in education, economy, etc. whatever that entity needs.
\nAnother example of scale can be used in Economics.
\nAnother example comes from science. A scientist giving 4200j to 1kg of water which sits at 10°C will observe that its temperature has increased to 11°C. Then they give another 4200j and it increases to 12°C. Another 4200 and it increases to 13°C. The scientist continues doing this until it reaches 30°C. And the scientist concludes that to get the water to reach from 10°C to 1000°C he will need 4,158,000j. But in reality the water goes up to only 100°C and then starts evaporating. Which shows that methods also change rules when they are scaled.
\nAnother example of method comes from startups. Initially the founder can write code everyday to grow their company 1% every week. But once it hits a certain number the rules will change. At a certain scale the founder needs to stop writing code and start hiring people to continue progressing.
\nSecond-order thinking refers to the process of considering the potential second and third-order consequences of a decision or action. It involves thinking beyond the immediate impact of a choice and consider the longer-term, indirect effects it may have.
\nLet's say you are considering taking out a loan to start a new business. The immediate consequence of taking out the loan is that you will have the funds you need to start the business. However, if you apply second-order thinking, you may consider the potential indirect or long-term effects of taking out the loan.
\nThe second-order consequences of taking out the loan may include things like:
\nBy considering these second-order consequences, you may decide to take a more cautious approach to starting your business, such as seeking alternative funding sources or delaying your plans until you have more financial stability. This type of second-order thinking can help you make more informed and thoughtful decisions in many areas of your life.
\n" }, { "name": "Simplicity", "url": "/mental_models/simplicity/", "benefit": "Makes easier", "summary": "Reducing complexity will increase understandability, success rate, growth and many other things.", "html": ""Everything should be made as simple as possible but not simpler" - Unknown
\nThe quote explains it pretty well. If something can be done in a simpler way without removing any attribute it should be simplified. In game development this is regarded as depth/complexity. A game is better if the complexity is decreased while keeping the depth the same. An article is better if there are fewer words while the meaning is the same. A function is better if it does one simple thing. An idea is better if it is easily understandable.
\nThere are a few ways to make something simple.
\nThis works very well with articles. After writing go over it and try to read it by removing some words. If the meaning is the same continue removing more words until you can't remove any more words.
\nThis works in complicated systems. When writing if you can replace a sophisticated word with a basic one do it. When coding if you can use another functions/code again, do it.
\nWarren Buffett constantly says, he avoids any business that looks complicated. If something is complex and you have the option to not do it, that might be the sound decision. Another way is postponing it until you figure out a way to do it in a simpler way.
\nWhile practicing simplicity skill make sure to be aware if your simplification decreases only complexity or depth as well.
\nThink of a task you're doing today. It could be a new design, explaining an idea, giving a presentation, writing a new class/function, researching a concept etc.
\nAsk yourself
\n"An idiot admires complexity, a genius admires simplicity. A physicist tries to make it simple; an idiot, anything the more complicated is, the more he will admire it. If you make something so clusterfucked he can't understand it, he's gonna think you're a god cause you made it so complicated nobody can understand it."\n– Terry A Davis
\n\n" }, { "name": "Simulation", "url": "/mental_models/simulation/", "benefit": "Increases chance of accomplishment", "summary": "Running a mind simulation makes it easier for one to accomplish their goal", "html": "Running mental simulation on something before doing it makes it much easier to accomplish it.
\nWhen you visualize it for 2 minutes, doing the real thing becomes much easier.
\nNow you can get up and go to the bathroom because it is going to take at least a couple more of this practice until you feel confident enough to approach a girl.
\n\n" }, { "name": "Stop Over Planning", "url": "/mental_models/stop-over-planning/", "benefit": "Being more present", "summary": "We occasionally get stuck in a loop where we non-stop simulate an interaction. Planning something once is okay but non-stop is unhealthy.", "html": "This mental model is for people who often find themselves simulating interactions such as what they're going to do when they go on the date, how the talk will go with their boss/principle, or what they could have said instead of the blabber they did.
\nWhen these plans are unconscious and become an obsessive repeated behavior they are unhealthy and waste of time. So it is best to be aware when we are running such simulations more than we should be and stopping them.
\nImagine yourself in a future conversation and run a mental simulation of that conversation. Then stop that imagination and get back to the current world.
\nThis will increase the likelihood of you being aware of such thought processes and changing them.
\n" }, { "name": "Thanking", "url": "/mental_models/thanking/", "benefit": "Increase good things happening", "summary": "Sharing our thankfulness increases the likelihood of the same action happening", "html": "Sincere appreciation increases the likelihood of other people doing similar actions. Wheres us receiving similar actions.\nAlso increases the overall happiness in us & around us and strengthens our relationships.
\nSomeone: Chloe\nSomething I liked: Offered me to stay at her place in Korea when I visit
\nSomeone: Siddartha\nSomething I liked: Gave me a really delicious tea
\n" }, { "name": "Top 5", "url": "/mental_models/top-5/", "benefit": "Increases health", "summary": "Once a person resolves these 5, they will be 90% to a happy healthy life.", "html": "The top 5 are below.
\nBreaking any one of these will break most things in life.
\nIf a person does not have good relationships it doesn't matter how much they workout, how healthy they eat, how much they try to focus on their work or how comfortable sleeping arrangement they make, they will have issues with all of them. You must have heard the saying leave your relationship issues outside. Yet it is one of the hardest things. We as humans, are wired for social connectivity more than anything else.
Having a bad sleep schedule will make a mind not function properly. So if a person isn't getting enough sleep it doesn't matter how healthy they eat or the quality of their relationships cause they'll be more likely to be grumpy and seek dopamine through food and bring those down as well.
\nIt doesn't matter if they work at the best job in the world. If they aren't getting enough exercises they will feel tired, will have neck pain, back pain and all sorts of other biological conditions which make their work life much harder.
\nWork should be satisfactory & should suit the person. If they are being stressed because of work others don't matter. They can eat all the carbs or all the veggies they want. Have an amazing spouse. It won't improve their life much with respect to the decrease their unsatisfying job gives them.
\nNutrition: If a person has diarrhea 5 days a month, have pimples half the time, gets stomach ache or cramps its better to look at this. In most people nutrition isn't apparent until the age of 30. But it'll kick in hard and the younger self's habits are hard to change. Better start early.
\nWhen a person has all of these 5 items, they have achieved happiness 90%
\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVglnpZTZUs&list=WL&index=3&t=2s&ab_channel=ProjectBetterSelf
\n" }, { "name": "Uncertainty", "url": "/mental_models/uncertainty/", "benefit": "Increase elasticity of mind", "summary": "Not having concrete beliefs, helps us leave our current path/decision/actions for better ones.", "html": "We are certain with most of the things we do, but there is ALWAYS a better method, way, action which can result in better value. Our mind should not be solid but as liquid as possible and be able to morph easily.
\nThis mental training makes it easier for us to change our thoughts & concepts. When a person stops being sure of a certain concept it becomes easier to think outside the box.
\nBeing aware that my thoughts might be wrong
\nQuote: Teach thy tongue to say I do not know, and thou shalt progress
\nThink of a couple things you are mostly sure of. Now write down that you are not sure of them.
\nFarnam Street Blog\nAll Knowledge Is Conjectural
\n" }, { "name": "Understanding", "url": "/mental_models/understanding/", "benefit": "Take correct actions", "summary": "Understanding enables us to find sustainable solutions", "html": "When we overcome a problem but don't fully understand why, it doesn't become easier to solve it next time. When we overcome a problem and fully understand it, next time we see it becomes a piece of cake. For this reason our goal should be seeking to understand rather than getting it over with.
\nWhen there is a problem we can take 2 approaches:
\nFocus on understanding
\nFocus on fixing
\n![](\"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DMes69xXkAA4-7z.jpg\"\nalt=\"Markdown)
\n![](\"https://i.redd.it/4r9efz3e9sez.jpg\"\nalt=\"Markdown)
Here is an example of how my co-worker implemented this model.
\n"I was trying to solve a bug where users ended up not taking action X. I got curious and wrote queries on how many users were running into this bug. I saw that 5% of people did not take action X because of this bug. But I also discovered that another 10% also did not take action X. I dived into why that was the case ; and turns out it was due to a logic (programming concept) we implemented. I looked at the submission that created the logic that was based on an assumption. Then I asked 5 players their thoughts about the result of this logic and turns out none of them want this feature. Then I ran this poll in the community to verify it. I solved the initial bug, I created design tasks for the second bug and I saved the queries so it'll be easy for us to run them in the future."
\nHere the developer has acquired a good understanding of user behavior, instead of solving an unwanted bug they figured out if it was necessary for the users, then created systems making it easier for future developers.
\nAnother time they said something like this:
\n"I was trying to solve the rendering problem, but I didn't know how rendering worked. So, I spent 15 minutes learning about it. Then, I realized I didn't understand how our library rendered, so I dedicated another 15 minutes to understanding it. After that, I became curious about how we were using the library, so I spent 15 minutes gaining clarity on that aspect. It dawned on me that we could solve our rendering problem by changing just one line of code. Additionally, I noticed that our rendering process was not optimized, so I submitted a task to refactor our rendering engine, which would clean up our codebase. I also created two other tasks, which are of lower impact, but will further optimize rendering when necessary."
\nThe developer understood the problem by breaking it down into its smaller components, which helped him solve it and become an expert in the process. As a result, he will be able to handle any future rendering problems with ease.
\nThe developer who understands why it works will
\nSame as developer, 2 approaches.
\nCreates 5 types of buttons. PM selects Design B and asks for iterations. The designer gets curious why that was selected. Reads case studies. Ask the PM. Talks to users. Then does 1 iteration and it gets approved. Here the designer spent time understanding what needs to be done and why. In the future the designer will be less likely to receive feedback.
Creates 5 types of buttons. PM selects one of them and asks for iterations. Designer changes it, after 3 iterations, it gets approved. Short term problem solved. But next time something similar happens designer will still need iterations.
\nWhatever you dive in 4x15 minutes you should become a semi-expert in 4 components of that thing. Compound this with 2 years and you'll be one of the top people in your company who understands how things work together.
\n" }, { "name": "Value Creation", "url": "/mental_models/value-creation/", "benefit": "Increase wealth", "summary": "Certain % of the value created can be captured", "html": "Value is a relative concept. Something might be valuable for certain entities while not so much for others. I'll explain this concept in examples.
\nSay you created a new technology so that eye-glasses can be created for $10 less price. You won't be earning $10 per glasses. You will share that value with a set of other partners. The end user will be able to purchase it for $2 cheaper. The manufacturer will save $3 on materials & time. The store clerk will have an increased margin of $2. So you've basically distributed 70% of the value you've created to other partners, thus they are all happy to work with you. And you get 30% of the value you created.
\nLet's say you work for a company, you make your company $10k/mo and the company pays you $2k/mo. You are capturing 20% of the value you create for the company.
\nYou will never be able to capture 100% of the value you create. If you try to do that the company won't have a reason to hire you. The store clerk won't have a reason to justify selling your products. The manufacturer won't have a reason to change their production line etc. So in order for other people to work with you you need to be creating them a lot of value. In different industries this % can differ. For some industries you can capture %1-2 of the value for some you can capture 50%.
\nOverall if you're capturing very little, you may try to think of ways how to capture more, but majority of the time it is better to increase the amount of value you create for others.
\nAnother method of capturing value is indirectly. Dan Bricklin the inventor of Spreadsheets. Didn't patent and created billions of $s of value for the global economy without capturing it. But indirectly, due to its fame opportunities came in.
\nYou don't need to capture all the value you create. But as long as you're focused on creating value you will find opportunities to capture some of it.
\nThe values we talked about so far is in monetary form. But this value can be anything. It can be in the form of love, care, time, knowledge, fun.
\nOur mind isn't linear, there are many moving parts and different incentives. This is why it's usually not as clear as we want it to be.
\nFor example: When it comes to work, a part of us might want online work, yet, another part wants close social interactions. While another part wants extended focus time, the other wants to manage people.
\nThis is usually the case for any complex system, such as relationships, family dynamics, school, or hobbies.
\nThis practice increases our skills in clarifying our needs.
\nGet a practice journal: it can be an online notepad or a physical notebook. Write down the following everyday for the next 30 days
\nhttps://twitter.com/KapilGuptaMD/status/1078399090348748800
\nThink of what you want others to do. Then imagine yourself teaching them to yearn for the goal.
\n![feel](\"https://media.thechalkboardmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/29212018/feelings-wheel-explained.jpg\"){kind=link}
![Candy Crush](\"https://i.redd.it/u25jttpjhgi01.jpg\"){kind=link}
![Classical physics vs Quantum physics](\"https://i.pinimg.com/originals/cb/36/fd/cb36fdd89caeb75faf21ceef83694cc6.jpg\"){kind=link}