Mental models?

Ever heard someone mention "mental models" and thought, What on earth does that even mean?

I promise Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell or any one of the people featured on America’s Next Top Model have nothing to do with it. To be fair those are the only names I recall from that show so if someone else was involved I may have missed it. Anyway I digress.. you’re not alone if you’ve heard of a mental model and not been able to say what it meant definitively. The term sounds a bit like something you'd find in a philosophy textbook, but don’t worry, it’s way simpler than it sounds.

I first came across the concept while listening to the Not Overthinking podcast, hosted by Ali and Taimur Abdaal. They dive into mental models and how they can change the way we see and interact with the world. It's kind of like upgrading your brain's operating system. Intrigued? Let’s break it down.

What Are Mental Models?

Imagine your brain is a pencil case. A mental model is like a particular stationery item; to extend my metaphor here; that you use to solve problems, make decisions, and understand how things work. It’s like using a particular pen for a specific task or situation, makes sense right? You wouldn’t sign a legal document with a red pen, for example.

A mental model is a framework or concept that helps simplify the chaos of the world around us and navigate it more easily. For example, when you’re trying to decide between two options, you might use a mental model to figure out which choice makes the most sense.

Think of it like this: you don’t need to know the entire history of how the internet works every time you send an email. You just use your mental model of how email works, based on your experience, and it gets the job done.

The cool thing about mental models is that they shape how we see everything. They act like glasses through which we view the world. If your mental models are too narrow or outdated, you might miss out on opportunities, or worse, make decisions that don’t make sense in the long run.

Let’s say you have a mental model of scarcity (the idea that resources are limited). If you approach life with that model, you might think that there’s only so much success to go around, and you need to compete for it. Now, if you flip that and use a model of abundance (the idea that there’s plenty of success for everyone), suddenly you’ll see more opportunities for collaboration and growth.

The key takeaway? Mental models are powerful, but they’re not always perfect. Sometimes, they can create blind spots or lead you astray. That’s why it’s important to keep adding new models to your pencil case and always be willing to update your thinking.

You don’t need to memorize a whole bunch of models right away. Start by picking up a few. Not Overthinking has some great episodes where Ali and Taimur break down models like confirmation bias (the tendency to search for info that confirms what we already believe) and the map is not the territory (the idea that our perception of something is never exactly the same as the thing itself).

A classic book that dives into mental models is Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charlie Munger. It’s a great way to expand your toolkit, but don’t worry — you can start small. Even just learning one or two models will make a huge difference.

Mental Models Are Your Secret Weapon

Mental models might sound like a buzzword, but they’re just tools that help us make sense of life. By learning new models, using them to solve problems, and updating them as we go, we can navigate the world with more clarity and confidence. And the best part? They’re available to everyone — no fancy degrees or degrees in philosophy are required. Believe me, I do not possess a philosophy degree.

If you’re looking for a podcast that dives deep into these ideas, check out Not Overthinking. Ali and Taimur Abdaal do a fantastic job of breaking down mental models in a way that’s both fun and informative. Happy thinking!

Euan

The Sweet Jam Journal

This one is quite special, it reminds me of my relationship with my father. It also makes me think of relationships generally that exist between fathers and sons. It is a special bond, I tell you. To add to it, it’s a song by Tom Misch one of my all-time favourites and I hope you’ll enjoy listening to it, if you have a moment to do so. Enjoy!