Today, I’m going to give you five mental models that will help you change your way of thinking.
What are mental models, you ask?
A mental model is a framework or way of thinking that helps you understand and interact with the world around you.
It’s a simplified representation of reality that you can use to make decisions, solve problems, or explain complex phenomena.
Mental models can be based on personal experiences, cultural norms, education, or other factors, and can vary widely between individuals.
I use mental models every single day to figure things out in the world, and today I want to give you five of my favourites to use yourself.
Let’s get into it...
#1 - The Map Is Not The Territory
The map is not the territory explains that our own perceptions and interpretations of the world around us are not necessarily the reality we think they are.
A great example of this is the world map.
Look at a typical textbook map, the one we see every day.
From the looks of this map, you could fit Australia into Russia at least 5-6 times.
Except you couldn’t, as this map isn’t a true representation of the world.
When you look at an accurate size comparison (check out thetruesize.com), Australia takes up most of Russia and could only fit twice into the country.
Now, some of you might have already known this, and some of you reading this might have just had your mind blown.
But this is an excellent example of “The Map is Not The Territory.”
The lesson to understand from this mental model is to be more mindful and aware of our own perceptions and interpretations of the world around us.
The Map is Not The Territory and Goal Setting
When you write down the goals you want to achieve, really think hard about why you want to achieve them.
You might be focused on a promotion at work and think your life will be better when you get it. The reality is usually a little bit more pay for a lot more problems, and the juice might not be worth the squeeze.
You might be focused on losing weight right now and think that when you hit your goal weight, you’ll be happy. But the reality is, if you’re not happy right now, you’re not going to be happy when you’ve lost 10lbs, because happiness is not a destination, especially if the destination was a miserable journey to get there.
So, how do we use this mental model to improve our lives?
By recognising that our mental maps are not always an accurate reflection of reality, we can approach situations with more openness and flexibility, and be more willing to learn and adapt as we grow and develop.
“Be stubborn about your goals and flexible about your methods.” - Unknown
#2 - The Anchoring Bias
An Anchoring Bias is the tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions.
Say you were heading to the cinema, and as you were about to go in, you bumped into a mate who had just finished watching the film you’ve been dying to see.
“How was the film?” you say to him.
“Absolutely awful,” he says. “Save your money and watch something else.”
That film you’ve been dying to see has now lost its appeal, and as you go into the cinema, you decide to pick another film.
Here’s the thing…
Our decisions in life are heavily influenced by the information we receive from those around us. In some cases, it might save us a lot of time and energy, but in most cases, it doesn’t.
The Anchoring Bias and Weight Loss
When it comes to weight loss, we are heavily influenced by what people and papers tell us.
You see a headline: “This lady lost six stone using a ‘flexible diet plan’!”
(In reality, it was actually the Cambridge Weight Plan that heavily restricts your calories to 600 calories a day for a period of 12 weeks, and the only thing you’re allowed to eat is their “nutritionally complete and healthy” snacks and ready meals, which will set you back about £200 a month.)
We are heavily influenced in our weight-loss decision-making by what we read and where our emotions are at the time.
With weight loss, it’s super important to be aware of this mental model and always remember this simple truth…
The Best Diet Is Enjoyable, Maintainable, Sustainable And You Can See Yourself Doing It A Year From Now - Jay Alderton
#3 - Confirmation Bias
Confirmation Bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, or remember information in a way that confirms one’s preconceptions or beliefs.
When we’re onto a good thing, we hate to think of any negative consequences of our actions, which is why, during this time, we look for evidence to confirm our beliefs and understanding of the world and try to ignore anything that contradicts it.
The Confirmation Bias and Relationships
You just started dating someone you really, really like.
You can talk to this person for hours on end, and they really make you laugh.
This is the first time you’ve ever felt this way about someone, so you completely ignore some of their negative behaviours, like always being late, talking down to restaurant staff, and being obsessed with looking good on social media.
You’re still in the honeymoon period, and things are moving fast, and they say to you, “Let’s move in together.”
Because of how much you’re into this person, it’s only a matter of weeks before you’re giving them the key to your flat.
Then... the red flags come.
What seemed like a good idea suddenly becomes the worst decision you’ve ever made because, upon reflection, you finally realised this person is...
A piece of shit.
Here’s what you need to do…
It’s essential with decisions in your life to look at things more objectively.
There are pros and cons to everything in life, and the key is to weigh them up fully before making big decisions.
Stop letting your emotions make decisions that your logic will have to deal with!
#4 - Fundamental Attribution Error
When we observe someone’s behaviour, we often make assumptions about their personality, beliefs, or intentions without considering the context or circumstances that might have influenced it.
For example, if someone cuts you off on the road, you might assume they’re a rude or aggressive driver, without considering that they might be rushing to the hospital or dealing with an emergency situation.
Or, if someone performs poorly on a test or task, you may assume they lack the necessary skills or intelligence, without considering external factors such as stress, fatigue, or distractions that may have affected their performance.
Understanding this mental model has really helped me, especially when it comes to social media.
I’ve had people destroy me in the comments on my posts, and my response is usually empathetic and kind.
This is because their anger and outrage have nothing to do with me and everything to do with how that person is thinking and feeling at that time.
Do you know what happens when I respond with kindness or message that person to see if they’re okay?
They either apologise or completely stop with their hateful comments, which means I can get back to focusing my time on more positive things than arguing with strangers on the internet.
“Those who shout hate need help.”
#5 - The Curse of Knowledge
The Curse of Knowledge is the difficulty in imagining what it’s like not to know something once you already know it, leading to difficulty in communication and teaching.
I’ve been a transformation coach for over a decade now and can pretty much understand most of the scientific literature on nutrition, training, and mindset.
What I continue to do, however, is break it down into simple, actionable advice and try my best not to overcomplicate it.
My thought process is: if I can explain it to my 6-year-old son and he gets it, then everyone will get it too.
And if I have gaps in my understanding, I go back to the books to learn a little more deeply.
This mental model is powerful to remember, especially if you’re an expert in a particular area trying to teach others.
Never assume that others know what you know, and always try to break things down into manageable, bite-sized chunks, with lots of pictures and stories.
This is not only the best way for you to learn at a deeper level, but also for others to learn.
One of the best examples of this is “The Feynman Technique”
Richard Feynman was an American theoretical physicist known for his work in quantum mechanics and particle physics. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965.
It’s safe to say Mr Feynman was an incredibly smart man who understood incredibly complex subjects. Still, despite his intellect, he was able to break things down so everyone could understand it with his simple “Feynman Technique”:
Pick and study a topic
Explain the topic to someone, like a child who is unfamiliar with the topic, at a level they understand, using simple language.
Identify any gaps in your level of understanding.
Simplify your explanations and create analogies so they are easy to understand
If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.
Mental models aren’t just abstract concepts…
They’re practical tools you can use every single day to make better decisions, understand people better, and see the world more clearly.
Stop doing this:
Assuming your perception is reality
Making decisions based on the first piece of information you hear
Only looking for evidence that confirms what you already believe
Judging people’s behaviour without considering their circumstances
Assuming everyone knows what you know
Start doing this:
Question your mental maps - they’re not always accurate
Gather multiple sources of information before making decisions
Actively seek out evidence that contradicts your beliefs
Respond with empathy and kindness - behaviour doesn’t define a person
Simplify complex ideas - if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it
These mental models will change the way you think if you actually use them.
Jay Alderton