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Published Jan 7, 2019

#471: Using Mental Models to Make Better Decisions

Shane Parrish, former Canadian intelligence officer and owner of Farnam Street, reveals the transformative power of mental models in decision-making, shares principles for deliberate living, and offers practical strategies and tools for enhancing judgment and personal growth.
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  • First Principles

    First principles thinking is a powerful tool for making better decisions. emphasizes the importance of playing a repeatable game and calibrating one's judgment to improve decision-making outcomes. He explains that decision journals can help individuals record their thought processes and refine their judgment over time 1. This approach ensures that decisions are based on fundamental truths rather than assumptions or biases 2.

    Too often it's really easy just to convince ourselves that we did the best we could, made the best decision, or, you know, given the information we had, that was, that was all I would decide.

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    By focusing on first principles, individuals can make more informed and effective decisions.

       

    Deliberate Living

    Living deliberately involves making conscious, well-thought-out decisions in everyday life. discusses the importance of direction over speed, emphasizing that progress is more meaningful when aligned with one's goals. He also highlights the value of owning one's actions and learning from mistakes to make significant leaps forward 3.

    One of the most powerful ways that I've discovered in life, to make giant leaps forwards, is not only accept that we'll screw up, but actually seek out, like, how do we correct this?

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    By adopting these principles, individuals can lead more intentional and fulfilling lives.

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