Hi there,
What’s the Story?
I’m delighted to say that a short film I did a couple of years ago got into a film festival in New York City. It is playing this week in the CHAIN NYC Film Festival Off-Broadway. So an exciting week.
Also delighted to release ‘Part Two of Mental Models’, another really cool episode of the Changing Minds Podcast. Check it out here: video.owenfitzpatrick.com
In this week’s article, I explore some of the best mental models discussed in the episode.
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Mastering Mental Models: Expanding Your Toolbox for Better Thinking
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes 59 seconds
Mental models are frameworks or ideas that allow us to make better decisions, solve problems more effectively, and change the way we think and act to achieve desired results.
In this edition of Inner Propaganda, I want to continue where I left off a couple of weeks ago and explore some more of these brilliant ideas that you can use instantly.
By mastering mental models, you can enhance your thinking processes and achieve better outcomes. These frameworks, drawn from various disciplines, can transform how you handle change and make decisions.
Where do these Mental Models come from?
The mental models I’ll share this week come from experts and authors such as Rob Henderson, Alex Hormozi, Annie Duke, Robert Anton Wilson, Shane Parrish, Chris Williamson, and George Mack.
Practical Applications of Mental Models
Here are some practical mental models you can start using today:
1. Luxury Beliefs
Popularized by Rob Henderson, luxury beliefs are held by those in privileged positions without bearing negative consequences.
For instance, the notion of ‘defunding the police’ is often advocated by those who are in a highly privileged position and may have the luxury of access to private security, while the less privileged communities who would be directly impacted are often generally opposed to it.
2. Present Bias
Also known as hyperbolic discounting, this model explains our tendency to overvalue immediate rewards and undervalue future benefits.
For example, choosing to eat a delicious cheesecake now despite knowing that achieving a six-pack in the future would bring more long-term satisfaction.
3. Outcome-Based Communication
This principle emphasizes focusing on the desired outcome of communication rather than just the message itself.
Effective communication should aim to evoke specific actions and emotions in the audience.
4. Second-Order Thinking
This involves considering the consequences of your decisions and the subsequent outcomes.
It’s about thinking beyond the immediate effects and predicting the long-term impact of your actions.
5. Law of Identity
As described by James Clear in Atomic Habits, changing who you believe you are can change your actions, and vice versa.
Seeing yourself as the type of person who exercises regularly can help you maintain consistent exercise habits.
6. Opinion Noise
Just because an opinion is loud and pervasive doesn’t make it accurate.
It’s essential to critically evaluate the validity and source of opinions, especially in the noisy environment of social media.
7. Probabilistic Thinking
Promoted by thinkers like Robert Anton Wilson and Annie Duke, this model involves assessing the likelihood of various outcomes and making decisions based on probabilities rather than certainties.
8. Investment Certainty
Before committing to a decision, ask yourself how much money you would bet on it being the right choice.
This forces you to evaluate your confidence and the thoroughness of your decision-making process.
9. Environmental Hacking
Alex Hormozi suggests that changing your environment can significantly impact your behavior.
Surrounding yourself with healthy food and making it easy to access the gym can help establish better habits.
Applying Mental Models in Everyday Life
Each of these mental models can help you with a variety of obstacles in your life.
In a world where we face a multitude of different kinds of challenges, having frameworks and ideas like these can be a game changer for how you navigate your way to success.
To dive deeper into these and 16 more mental models, check out this week’s episode of the Changing Minds Podcast.
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The Brain Prompt
What kind of person do you want to be?
What kind of actions would someone like that take regularly?
How can you organize your environment to make it easier for you to be the kind of person you want to be?
For more insights, subscribe to my weekly newsletter.
Cheers,
Owen.
P.S. For more mental models, watch the Changing Minds Podcast: check it out here.
