What it is:
A library of mental models;
I’ve condensed the world’s wisdom into a simple online toolkit to help you make the right decision at the right time.
Why it is:
I’ve spent years of reading best-seller books on self-improvement.
I stand on shoulders of giants, absorbing ideas from the greatest minds throughout history to guide my thinking.
The greatest ideas are mental models that can change the way we live and work, which are published in books for us to learn and put into action.
Of course, there are no truly original ideas;
Each author has come across an idea; processed it through writing, linked it with their own way of thinking and published their own spin or variation in their own book.
Over time, if you read enough, you’ll notice the same ideas, the same mental models, arise across self-help landscape.
Sometimes they have new brand names, or catchy acronyms, or are wrapped into the theme of the book, but the core ideas are the same.
This repetition is not unwelcome;
Each book cross-pollinates with other ideas to create new, even more useful variations. There are so many good books packed full of wisdom to consume, that it’s easy to just finish one book and dive straight into the next, forgetting everything you’ve read before you have the chance to put any of it into practice.
You can’t just read something once and expect to have mastered the concept. Any mental model worth learning needs regular repetition over years until it becomes a habitual way of thinking.
And like stoicism, any self-improvement is a practice which only ends when you die.
Coming across the same idea in a different form, or with a new brand name, is an opportunity and a reminder to put it into practice by applying it to problems in your life.
Which is why I’ve assembled this library of mental models:
I thought condensing all this wisdom into an easy to use library would be a useful contribution to society.
I’ve distilled the core ideas, collating any mental models I’ve come across into a toolkit that I can reach into and rummage for a solution whenever needed.
I’ve added filters so I can fetch the right mental toolkit for the right problem at the right time;
To find the wisdom you need, you can filter by tag,
and I’ve also distilled each mental model into x3 steps:
When frustrated by someone's actions, opinions, or behaviour.
Notice where you're trying to control someone. Mentally say "let them" and redirect attention to your own response.
When deciding where to focus your time and attention.
Identify the "critical few" activities that move the needle. Eliminate, delegate, reduce or just plain ignore the rest.
During negotiation.
Set anchors deliberately and question whether existing anchors are reasonable.
When facing challenges or uncertainty.
Expose yourself to manageable challenges that increase resilience over time.
When building new habits or changing behaviours sustainably.
Make habits... 1 obvious. 2 attractive. 3 easy. 4 satisfying. Stack a new habit on an old habit. Instead of setting a high target, start with just x1 per day. Improve by 1% daily and focus on consistency over intensity.
When assessing risks or making decisions.
Check objective data before relying on memorable stories or recent events.
When stuck overthinking, planning or analysing too many options.
Stop adding more options, Limit yourself to x3 possibly aveneues, and complete the smallest possible first step in the next 2 minutes.
Before changing processes or rules.
Always make sure you understand why something exists before removing it. Learn the original purpose before altering, replacing, or removing something in a system
When making decisions in unfamiliar areas.
Ask whether you truly understand the domain. Seek help or learn before acting outside your expertise.
When motivation or willpower fails.
Set yourself a hard rule. Add consequences or friction: prepay, announce goals publicly, block distractions, or put money at stake.
When you want to change habits or behaviour.
Pair desired behaviours with consistent cues and rewards until they become automatic.
Before making important decisions.
Deliberately search for information that challenges your current view.
When overwhelmed by commitments.
Commitments can be things you own, jobs you have to do, or relationships to maintain. Remove non-essential commitments until only commitments that add value to your life remain.
When learning or optimising performance.
Identify what counts as progress. Review outcomes regularly. Keep what works, remove what doesn't, and repeat as regularly as you can
When conventional approaches fail.
Go back to the start. Strip away assumptions born from expertise. Ask what's objectively true and build a solution from the ground up.
When progress has stalled, or deadlines keep getting pushed back
Before you start, define "what does 'done' look like?". Stop or launch once this has been met.
During misunderstandings or conflict.
Give people the benefit of the doubt: Before you decide they have acted out of spite, consider they may just have been incompetent, mistaken, or distracted.
When evaluating a new project or commitment.
If your immediate reaction isn't a strong "hell yeah," politely say no and preserve your time.
When you encounter an inflammatory opinion you disagree with.
You don't have to express an opinion on everything you hear or read. Sometimes it's better to conserve your energy that to waste time combating a ridiculous, or flippant comment.
When you're about to start an important project or set a new goal.
Ask "How could I do the opposite of that?" Then systematically eliminate those risks before proceeding.
When operating complex systems, or learning complex topics.
Identify the minimum amount required to achieve the desired result. Only commit time and resources when it becomes necessary.
When investing time or effort in a goal
Monitor input vs results. Find the middle sweet spot to maximise the balance of input vs output, and stop when you reach that point.
During major life decisions.
Imagine yourself in 10 years ahead telling someone about this moment. Which decision leaves fewer regrets? What will make the better story?
When feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed
Identify the elements you can actually control, and act on those, ignore everything else.
During debates, sales pitches, or online discussions.
Ask the person to clearly define and defend their original claim consistently.
When facing multiple or complex explanations.
Start with the simplest possible explanation first, before investigating more complex ones
When you want to take on a new project or activity.
If I want to add a new project or responsability, I have to decide to remove something else first.
During daily or weekly planning.
Ask, "What's the one thing that makes everything else easier or unnecessary?" Do it first.
Before you commit time, money, or attention.
Ask what you will have to give up to say yes (time, money, energy) and whether the result will be worth the trade-off.
When tasks drag on unnecessarily.
Work in predefined timeblocks to create tighter deadlines
Before launching projects or making commitments.
Assume the project failed. List reasons why and address them in advance. (see also 'Inversion')
When giving feedback or addressing difficult issues.
Instead of avoiding conflict, say what you feel. Deliver it clearly and be specific while demonstrating genuine care. You can be both blunt & polite.
When facing setbacks, difficult people, or circumstances outside your control.
Ask: "It may not be my fault, but how is it my responsibility to solve?" Focus on solutions, not blame.
When building relationships
Give value freely before asking for anything in return.
When deciding whether to continue something.
Pretend you've invested nothing before now. Would you still choose this path today?
When learning from successful people or businesses.
Study failures alongside successes to understand the full picture.
When overwhelmed by many minor non-important tasks
Intentionally delay low-value work until necessary.
When working on goals that require long-term commitment
Rather than trying to make huge efforts, simply start now, and make tiny improvements consistently. Focus on repetition rather than dramatic short-term results.
When you feel like quitting.
Determine whether you're in a temporary dip or a true dead end before quitting.
When building lasting habits.
Imagine someone you admire is watching you. Each time you face a crossroads, or a decision, act in a way your mentor would approve of.
When lacking willpower
Choose to start, or to keep going, regardless of willpower, excuses or feelings. Start now, start small, and the rest will follow.
When progress stalls despite increased effort.
Find the ONE thing holding you back from your goal. Focus all improvement efforts there before optimising anything else.
When feeling torn between multiple goals.
Name your current season. Choose its primary focus, accept the trade-offs.
When uncertain which path, product, or habit will work.
Instead of setting grand goals, run low-cost tests with clear success criteria. Learn quickly and scale what works.
When you're having a bad day
Ask how this will matter in a week, year, or decade. View today's problem within the bigger picture.