Elevate Letter #33: 10 Mental Models That Will Sharpen Your Thinking

Read time: 7 minutes 

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Most people need consistency, not intensity📌

Loved this from James Clear.

Of course, there are seasons of life that call for intense bursts.

Times when pushing hard feels necessary. But if you want lasting change, it's the quieter, consistent actions that leave a lasting mark.

Answer this:

​Where in your life would you benefit from more consistency?

The importance of having big goals 🎯

Stumbled upon this Tim Ferriss quote which hit me like a truck:

Personally, I feel like I've been aiming too low lately.

Settling for "good enough" in different areas of my life, when I know I'm capable of more.

Well, reading this re-lit the fire under my ass.

Question for you:​

• What area of life are you underestimating yourself?

• How could you aim higher to give yourself an advantage?

The life-changing power of embracing cringe 💎

I was terrified when I published my first piece of content.

I was convinced the entire internet would gather to laugh at me (my friends and family included).

Spoiler alert: they didn’t.

The reality is, most people are too busy thinking about their own lives to care about what you’re doing (sounds depressing, but it's a good thing).

The vast majority of the 'cringe' we feel is just our brain’s way of keeping us safe—avoiding risk and protecting our ego. But here’s the thing: that discomfort is often a sign you’re on the edge of growth.

And the best part?

The people who lean into this so-called ‘cringe’—the awkward, figuring-it-out stage—are the real winners.

They’re not sitting on the edge trying to look cool; they’re in the game, making progress.

Here’s my challenge to you: Do something this week that makes you feel a little awkward or exposed. Lean into the discomfort—you might be surprised at what opens up on the other side.

The Greatest Version of You 🔥

Self-discipline is when the desire to become the highest version of yourself outweighs the desire for cheap pleasures.

The secret to self-discipline is to avoid environments that make it difficult, and create environments that make it effortless.

You weren’t born to work 40 hours a week doing something you hate, numb your mind with endless scrolling, and wake up one day wondering where the time went.

When you’re bored, pick up a book📚 instead of your phone🤳 and see where that simple habit shift it takes you.

Think about it

10 Mental Models That Will Sharpen Your Thinking 🧠

Ever feel like you're making decisions the hard way?

These mental models will simplify your thought process, improve clarity, and help you make smarter choices:

1. Use the 80/20 Rule: Identify the 20% of activities that lead to 80% of your results.

2. Have "strong beliefs, loosely held": Update your beliefs based on new evidence.

3. Master learning with the Feynman Technique: Teach others, identify gaps, and simplify.

4. Ask "Why?" 5 times: Get to the root cause of any problem.

5. Apply second-order thinking: Consider future impacts by asking, "What comes next?"

6. Use Occam's Razor: Prefer the simplest explanation that fits the facts.

7. Adopt probabilistic thinking: Weigh decisions based on likelihood and risk.

8. Understand opportunity cost: Consider the next best alternative you’re giving up.

9. Practice steel manning: Argue against the strongest version of opposing views.

10. Master compound growth: 1% daily improvement leads to 37x growth in one year.

Which one will you start using today?

Previous Elevate Letters👇

P.S. : If you haven’t read our previous Elevate Letter editions here they are 😀 

»Elevate Letter #32: 19 incredible books to read in 2025

»Elevate Letter #31: 7 Hacks to Crush Your To-Do List Every Day

»Elevate Letter #30: The 12 Foundations for Good Life