Category: Decision-Making
(52 von 100)
Why: There is too much chaos in our life.
Goal: Learn to simplify 3 usual life decisions with models.
Table of Contents
Action: Find Models to Your Problems.
3 Key Concepts
- Structure helps us see through and gain overview of the problem.
- Innovation does not have to be 100% new.
- Give only things you are happy to receive.
Summary
How to recognize a model?
Good chance, you are not the first one to face such problems. Find the model others use to conquer such predicament by contemplating on a paper. Or read a book like this ;p
This book shows how structure helps us see through and gain an overview of the problem. The model helps reduce the complexity of a situation by suppressing most of it and concentrating on what is important.
Below are 3 models from this book. I’d like to give it a try.
- The Rubber Band – Deal with a dilemma
- Morphological Box – Create new product
- Esquire Gift – Choose a gift for anyone
The Rubber Band
This model suggests an alternative for us instead of a conventional pros and cons comparison. We often face the situation where both are good! But we must choose one anyhow. How unfair!
Here are the questions that would help you to be more honest with your choices.
- What is holding me back?
- What is pulling me there?
With the above questions, I hope you can get rid of some pros and cons that do not relate to your personal motivation. And theoretically, simplify the argument with yourself.
A peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one.
Rita Mae Brown
Morphological Box
Running out of ideas to create new next best thing for your market? Then, use this model to help you move forward.
The key is to combine things that are already existed.
Esquire Gift
If you are like me, you never know what to give your special ones as a gift. Thinking like them is just too damn hard. I oftentimes gave up giving gifts just because it is too difficult to decide. With this model, I am saved.
First: Think about your budget range for a gift: mine is $10 – $300
Second: Count the year of relationship: just met – 30 years +
Yes, you realize that this helps only to decide the range of budget one should spend. To the defense, let’s admit that it is a big part of the problem.
The other half of the problem is incalculable. Because giving gifts is an emotional act. Here are though 2 rules of thumb you should live by when present anyone with such pleasure.
- Being generous beats being miserly.
- Buy something that you would be pleased to receive as a gift yourself.
Do not be misled by ‘That wasn’t really necessary.’
I have the simplest tastes, I am always satisfied with the best.
Oscar Wilde
To sum up, models simplify chaos. And our life is filled with it. Therefore, refer to these proven models. For example, Ray Dalio – the founder of Bridgewater – would say, “Have principles.” Check out my summary of his book here.
Goal check: I learned models to simplify my decision-making.
Wasu’s Review
( 4.5 / 5.0 )
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Bonus: SCAMPER for new products
Substitute – people, components, materials
Combine – other functions or things
Adapt – function or appearance
Modify – size, shape, texture, acoustics
Put to other use – new or combined uses
Eliminate – reduce, simplify, eliminate anything superfluous
Reverse – conversely, invert, reverse.