I’ve been obsessed with systems, optimization, and mental models since my teenage years. Back then, I didn’t label them as such; they were simply routines I developed to make life easier. The goal was straightforward: minimize time spent on tasks I disliked and maximize time for what I loved. This inclination naturally led me to the hacker mentality, further nurtured by the online BBS culture. Additionally, my engagement with complex RPGs and tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons honed my attention to detail
and instilled a step-by-step methodological approach to problem-solving. Over time, these practices seamlessly integrated
into both my professional and personal life.

 

Building My Daily Framework

My days are structured around a concept I call the “Minimum Viable Day.” It’s about identifying the essential tasks that,
if accomplished, make the day successful. To manage tasks and projects, I employ a variant of the Eisenhower Matrix that I coded for myself in Xojo. This matrix helps me prioritize based on urgency and importance.

Each week begins with a comprehensive review of the past week, followed by a MATTO (Money, Attention, Time, Turbulence, Opportunity)
analysis for the upcoming week. This process ensures I allocate my resources effectively. I also revisit my “Not To Do List,”
a set of personal guidelines to keep me focused and avoid common pitfalls. Examples include:

• Don’t be a soldier; be a general—empower the team to overcome challenges.
• Avoid checking email outside scheduled times.
• Refrain from engaging in inane arguments.
• Before agreeing to something, ask, “Does this make me happy?”

Time-blocking is another critical component. It allows me to dedicate specific periods to tasks and long-term projects,
ensuring consistent progress.

Mental Models in Action

Throughout my day, I apply various mental models to enhance decision-making and efficiency:

• EDSAM: Eliminate, Delegate, Simplify, Automate, and Maintain—my approach to task management.
• Pareto Principle: Focusing on the 20% of efforts that yield 80% of results.
• Occam’s Razor: Preferring simpler solutions when faced with complex problems, and looking for the path with the least assumptions.
• Inversion: Considering what I want to avoid to understand better what I want to achieve.
• Compounding: Recognizing that minor, consistent improvements lead to significant long-term gains.

These models serve as lenses through which I view challenges, ensuring that my actions are timely, accurate, and valuable.

Teaching and Mentorship

Sharing these frameworks with others has become a significant focus in my life. I aim to impart these principles through content creation and mentorship, helping others develop their own systems and mental models. It’s a rewarding endeavor to watch mentees apply these concepts to navigate their paths more effectively.

The Power of Compounding

If there’s one principle I advocate for everyone to adopt, it’s compounding. Life operates as a feedback loop: the energy and actions you invest return amplified. Invest in value, and you’ll receive increased value; invest in compassion, and kindness will follow. Each decision shapes your future, even if the impact isn’t immediately apparent. By striving to be a better version of myself daily and optimizing my approaches, I’ve witnessed the profound effects of this principle.

Embracing systems thinking and mental models isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about crafting a life aligned with your values and goals.
By consciously designing our routines and decisions, we can navigate complexity with clarity and purpose.

 

 

* AI tools were used as a research assistant for this content, but human moderation and writing are also included. The included images are AI-generated.