Mental Models

A growing library of the most powerful thinking frameworks — explained visually, with real examples and practical steps.

Inversion

Instead of asking how to succeed, ask what would guarantee failure — then avoid it.

Foundation General Thinking

First Principles Thinking

Break any problem down to its fundamental truths, then build your reasoning up from there.

Foundation General Thinking

Second-Order Thinking

Consider not just the immediate consequences of a decision, but the consequences of those consequences.

Foundation General Thinking

Circle of Competence

Know what you know, know what you don't know, and stay honest about the boundary.

Foundation General Thinking

The Map Is Not the Territory

Every model of reality is a simplification. Don't confuse your map with the actual terrain.

Foundation General Thinking

Pre-Mortem

Before starting, imagine the project has already failed. Then figure out why.

Foundation General Thinking

Occam's Razor

The simplest explanation that fits the evidence is usually the correct one.

Foundation General Thinking

Hanlon's Razor

Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by ignorance, incompetence, or neglect.

Foundation Psychology

Probabilistic Thinking

Think in likelihoods, not certainties. Assign probabilities to outcomes instead of assuming binary results.

Intermediate Mathematics

Feedback Loops

Every system has outputs that feed back into inputs — reinforcing or balancing the system's behaviour over time.

Intermediate Systems Thinking

Margin of Safety

Build a buffer between what you expect and what you plan for. The world will surprise you.

Foundation General Thinking

Opportunity Cost

The true cost of anything is whatever you give up to get it — including the next best alternative.

Foundation Economics

Antifragility

Some things don't just survive shocks — they get stronger from them. Position yourself to benefit from disorder.

Intermediate Systems Thinking

Thought Experiments

Test ideas by running them in your imagination rather than in the real world — cheaper, faster, and sometimes just as revealing.

Intermediate General Thinking

Eisenhower Matrix

Separate what's urgent from what's important. Most people spend their lives on the wrong quadrant.

Foundation General Thinking

Bayesian Updating

Start with your best guess, then update it proportionally as new evidence arrives.

Intermediate Mathematics