Mental Models & Frameworks
The Big Picture
These are the highbrow concepts that I’ve studied over the years. And while I’m not the best adherent to any of them, they are a good reference for me when needed.
I would never be in total lockstep with any particular philosophy. Use what you find useful. This isn’t a comprehensive list.
Systems Thinking
First Principles Thinking
Definition
Break a problem down into its most fundamental truths and build a solution from scratch instead of relying on assumptions or conventions.
Core Question
“What do I know to be objectively true?”
Example
Instead of asking:
“How do I build a better website?”
Ask:
- What is the purpose of a website?
- Why do users visit it?
- What information do they need?
- What prevents them from achieving their goals?
The resulting design is based on user needs rather than copying competitors.
When to Use
- Innovation
- Product design
- Strategy
- Complex problem solving
Logic
OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act)
Definition
A rapid decision-making cycle originally developed for military strategy and now widely used in business, emergency response, and competitive environments.
Steps
- Observe: Gather current information.
- Orient: Interpret it using experience and context.
- Decide: Select a course of action.
- Act: Execute and immediately begin observing again.
Example
A startup notices a competitor has launched a similar feature. Rather than spending months planning a response, it quickly analyzes customer feedback, identifies a differentiating improvement, releases an update, measures the outcome, and repeats the cycle.
Economics
Compounding
Definition
Small improvements accumulate into dramatic long-term gains.
Example
- Improve 1% every day.
- Learn one new skill each week.
- Publish one quality article every month.
- Years later, the cumulative advantage can be substantial.
Philosophy
Occam’s Razor
Definition
When multiple explanations fit the evidence, the simplest one requiring the fewest assumptions is usually preferred.
Example
Your website suddenly slows down.
Possible explanations:
- Server outage
- Theme update conflict
- DNS attack
- Browser cache
The simplest explanation (recent plugin update) should be investigated first.
Important
Simple doesn’t always mean correct.
It means “investigate the least complicated explanation first.”