What is the difference between the statistical average and an outstanding person
A Life / / December 19, 2019
Elon Musk, Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett and other successful leaders perceive reality differently. To learn to think the way they need to collect and use mental models.
The thing is mental models
Mental model, or thinking model- this idea of some aspect of reality. All we unconsciously create a mental model of how the world around us, how the economy, politics, our brain, other people, as they should be this or that event.
The efficiency of the model, the more effective you will act, predict events, explain, explore and invent new ideas. The worse the model, the more you'll make mistakes. Unlike ordinary people, those who think the uncommon, consciously and actively use mental models. To do this, they collected the most effective models from different disciplines, test them and apply in their daily lives.
When most is knowledge of the horizontal (by industry), Elon Musk and others see it vertically, disappearing into the depths.
It is important to represent knowledge as a kind of semantic tree. First, make sure that you understand the fundamentals, that is, the "trunk" and "large branches" before moving on to the study of "leaves", otherwise they will be nothing to hold on to.
Elon Musk
The study of mental models connect ideas that you previously seemed disparate and unconnected.
How to apply
One of the most effective and universal models - it is the law of Pareto, or 20/80 principle. According to him 20% effort for 80% of the results. This principle is applicable both in his personal life (productivity, relationships, education, sport) and professional (work with the staff, management, sales, marketing).
- Every morning ask yourself: "Which of the cases on my list for today will bring 80% of the results?"
- When choosing what to read, think, "What of the thousands of books that I could buy, can really change my life?"
- When you are deciding with whom to spend the time to ask yourself: "What are the people in my life give me the most happiness, meaning, feelings of intimacy?"
Constantly using this rule, you will learn to focus only on what's really important, and sift through the rest.
Why is it so important
Most problems occur due to the fact that people over-generalize and simplify reality. Here are a few examples:
- black-and-white thinking (the person may be either good or bad);
- opposition between 'us' and 'them' (the people of another nationality, religion or belief systems are perceived as enemies);
- any stereotypes - racial, gender, political.
Neither mental model does not reflect life in its entirety. To think uncommon, it is necessary to learn and absorb new thought patterns. It is necessary to form complex patterns by combining simple. The more your set of mental models, the more creative you can combine them. The peculiar way your model is, the more original you think.
Constantly learning something new, you will accumulate a variety of models of thinking. And they will help to more effectively navigate the world.