Benefits of Super Mental Models

People make countless decisions daily, often without realizing the process behind them. Ultimately, it comes down to priorities. For instance, imagine having 30 minutes to reach university, with 20 minutes spent driving and 10 for parking and finding your class on time. But what if you decide to stop at Dunkin Donuts on the way? Do you have time? Probably not. It's simple: stopping means being late. If you still stop, it shows today, you value iced coffee more than being on time. Many of us can relate!

When faced with choices like whether to grab iced coffee or be on time, we often skip a detailed thought process like, "Do I value iced coffee over punctuality today?" Instead, we typically imagine how each choice could play out. For instance, we might picture enjoying the taste of that iced coffee versus the stress of arriving late to class and its possible consequences"like embarrassment or lower grades. Alternatively, we might imagine arriving on time but without our coffee. Ultimately, our decision hinges on these mental images and which outcome we prefer.

Deal with Unexpected Delays

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. We can't predict every situation, which can lead to unexpected problems. Imagine you thought getting coffee would only take 5 minutes and you'd be back on the road, just a bit late for class. But what if there's a huge line at Dunkin Donuts? You end up stuck for 30 minutes, missing half of your class. Now, you face a tough choice: go to class late and feel embarrassed, or head home and risk a bad mark for missing class.

Even small choices, like a quick coffee break or a brief workplace romance, can have unexpected consequences. This shows how easy it is to misjudge situations and regret our decisions. The argument advocates for a better approach called "super thinking."It involves replacing our usual ways of thinking with more effective models to make decisions easier and more reliable.

Flip the problem for clarity

Mathematicians excel at problem-solving, which extends beyond theory into practical applications. Contrary to common belief, solutions derived from mathematical problems can be directly applied in real-life scenarios. For instance, German mathematician Carl Jacobi advocated for "inverting the problem," or changing your perspective by turning it inside out or upside down. This approach often reveals straightforward solutions that might not be immediately apparent.

To define your objective in making good decisions, ask yourself: is it about making good decisions or "winning" by finding the right solution? Alternatively, is it about avoiding "dumb stuff"? Flipping the problem like this is crucial. When your goal shifts to avoiding "dumb stuff," your approach to decision-making changes. It prompts you to be mindful and deliberate, rather than settling for the easiest or first option that comes to mind. By cutting out these simple errors in thinking, you naturally reduce the likelihood of making poor decisions.

Avoid Unnecessary Hassles

The Dunkin Donuts incident was completely avoidable! You didn't expect such a long line, but that's the point. Even though you wanted that iced coffee, being late to class (even by just five minutes) isn't a smart move. Once you put yourself in that position, you might face more problems you hadn't thought about. So, to avoid making silly mistakes, you should plan better! Either leave home earlier to have time for coffee and still get to class on time, or skip the coffee stop altogether. Those are the smart choices in that situation, and you can easily find better solutions by looking at the problem differently.

Often the simplest answer is correct

When something puzzles you, do you often try to figure out why it happened? If so, you're not alone. Many of us complicate things when we try to explain why people act the way they do. But these complicated theories don't always give us answers. For instance, imagine you tagged a friend in a funny meme on Facebook, hoping to make her laugh. But she doesn't react or acknowledge it. Instead, she keeps posting and liking other people's posts. You might start worrying. Did she not like the meme? Was it offensive? Maybe it upset her for reasons you didn't realize. Such thoughts can make you anxious and confused about her feelings towards you.

You wait until your doubts grow too strong, then casually ask her about it. Turns out, the reason was much simpler than you imagined! She just saw the notification at a red light and needed to drive again before responding. She loved the meme but got busy and forgot. It's often the simplest answer we overlook. Using Ockham's Razor " the idea that the simplest explanation is usually correct. Applying this in life, especially in dating, can reduce a lot of stress.

Modern Dating

Finding lasting love has always been challenging, but the modern world introduces new complexities. Dating apps offer a plethora of options tailored to specific interests, from cat lovers to farmers, and allow filtering by age, location, and physical traits. This abundance can overwhelm, leading many to prioritize superficial characteristics like music taste or eye color over deeper connections.

Seeking traits similar to yours may complicate your choices. Your soul mate might not be someone just like you. A surprisingly perfect match could be an executive visiting for work, not local, and with different tastes in music and bookshops. Despite differences, this person makes you laugh and feels at home. Ultimately, simplicity in love matters most.

This blends academic ideas, like "Ockham's Razor," with practical applications. Applying what you learn in real life is crucial because knowledge without real-world use is pointless. You might know someone very intelligent academically but lacking common sense, struggling despite their mathematical prowess. "Super thinking" bridges this gap, helping you apply intellectual principles in everyday situations, and making life simpler and more effective.