Blog
2023
- Circle of CompetenceWe all want to avoid making bad decisions. We want to avoid making bad investments. Avoid failure, losing money, etc.
- InversionCarl Jacobi was a 19th century mathematician who was famous for inventing the mental model: Inversion.
- Occam's RazorWilliam of Ockham was an interesting guy.
- One Way and Two Way DoorsJeff Bezos has a process for making decisions. He asks if a decision is a one-way door or a two-way door.
- Second Order ThinkingHoward Marks has a process for making better investment decisions. He uses the mental model: Second Order Thinking.
- First Principles ThinkingWhat does Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Immanuel Kant and Richard Feynman all have in common? They all use the same mental model for deep learning and solving...
- The Map is Not The TerritoryAlfred Korzybski was a philosopher and scholar from the early 20th century. He invented the mental model: “The Map is Not the Territory”.
- The Cynefin FrameworkThe Cynefin (pronounced ku-nev-in) Framework is a surprisingly little-known problem solving framework.
- Monkeys and PedestalsAstro Teller, CEO of X Development (fka Google X) has a process for keeping or killing projects. He uses the mental model: “Monkeys and Pedestals”.
- Introducing: Mental Model MondaysI'm excited to announce I've started a newsletter!
2021
- Book Notes: The First 20 HoursThe First 20 Hours, by Josh Kaufman, is a book about learning things quickly. It offers tactical advice on how to rapidly acquire a new skill.
- Weekend Brew — September 4, 2021In this edition of Weekend Brew, we’ll go over the “Metaverse”, lean marketing, and 1Password’s decision to run as an electron app.
- Book Notes: The Lean StartupThe Lean Startup, by Eric Ries, is a book about running your startup using the scientific method. Learn your target market’s demands thoroughly first, then...
- Book Notes: The Obstacle is the WayThe Obstacle is the Way, by Ryan Holiday, helps put obstacles in perspective and explains how one can navigate hurdles as they come your way. It references a...
- Weekend Brew — August 14, 2021In this week's edition, we talk about leading with empathy, fast-paced career selection, and sales automation. Also, have a look at my book notes for The...
- How to Master Your Personal Finances with You Need a Budget (YNAB)I hate personal budgeting. Most people do. You set a plan, you inevitably blow your budget, get demoralized, and the downward spiral of overspending starts.
- Book Notes: The DipThe Dip, by Seth Godin, is a fantastic quick read that helps you decide when you should quit something, or when you should stick with something.
- Weekend Brew — August 8, 2021This weekend, we'll talk about, faster decision-making, remote work, and Star Wars. Also, have a look at my recent blog post on why OKRs are far superior to...
- Why KPIs Aren't EnoughTracking KPIs are a great windshield for your business, as long as you select the right ones.
- Weekend Brew — July 31, 2021This week, we talk about home networking, having more productive Zoom meetings, and Final Fantasy. Also, take a look at my recent posts on how habits lead to...
- Get Those Reps InNo, this isn’t a fitness article. But repetitions have broader applications than just exercise.
- Book Notes: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a FckThe Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck, by Mark Manson, was a surprisingly deep book. I have heard a lot about it over the past few years, yet I didn’t pick it...
- Weekend Brew — July 24, 2021This week, we discuss the growing importance of data privacy, the use of your calendar for greater productivity, and the upcoming Dune movie. Also, read my...
- How I Use the Hyper Key to Supercharge my Laptop WorkflowKeyboard shortcuts can help you navigate your computer so much faster. You can get a lot done if you can keep your hands on the keyboard without moving over...
- Weekend Brew — July 17, 2021This week, we'll review the recently unveiled (but not yet launched) Windows 365, Netflix getting into video games, the pitfalls of time management and some...
- The Smart Home is Not SmartI've always been a big fan of gadgets and have loved the concept of the Smart Home. In reality, the barrier to entry, complexity, and implementation make the...
- Weekend Brew — July 10, 2021This week's edition covers the threats implicit in Social Media, how the brain learns new motor skills, and the rise of renting over ownership. Also, take a...
- Love the Rough SpotsFor something really worth doing, the rough spots, the challenges, are what makes something rewarding in the end. Learn to love these obstacles. If you...
- Book Notes: Think and Grow RichThink and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill is a classic personal development and success philosophy book published in 1937. The book discusses 14 principles that...
- Critical MassWhen we continuously perform a habit, accumulate knowledge, or invest money, we enjoy the benefits of compound interest. The more we do it, the more it...
- Weekend Brew — June 27, 2021This weekend we discuss some great reads on getting finance and sales synchronized, virtual restaurant brands and the overwhelm parents are dealing with...
- Cynics Never WinNegative thinking inhibits creativity. If you or someone around you constantly say: “this will never work”, it is difficult to fully explore or execute an idea.
- Always Ask the Bigger QuestionWhen trying to solve a problem, we tend to get lost in the detail and forget the bigger issue in front of us. Pausing and asking the larger question almost...
- Book Notes: How to Take Smart NotesHow to Take Smart Notes, by Sonke Ahrens, details a useful look at the Zettelkasten Method. The Zettelkasten Method is a system for note-taking, note...
- Weekend Brew — June 5, 2021Today's brew discusses the impact of decision fatigue, some new trends in the investment space, and the new complications arising out of Bring Your Own...
- Book Notes: Atomic HabitsAtomic Habits, by James Clear, has quickly become a book I’ve recommended to many. The book offers practical advice on how to manage your habits while also...
- Weekend Brew — May 29, 2021This week had some interesting articles on AI, CRT TVs, and how new experiences impact your happiness. Also, see my article on iOS Screen Time. Enjoy!
- Stop Doom Scrolling with iOS Screen TimeIt happened two weeks ago where I got a weekly notification on my iPhone about my Screen Time usage.
- Weekend Brew — May 22, 2021This weekend we have more reads on SPACs, Crypto, and digitizing your business. Also, take a look at my articles on how I streamlined my weekly GTD review...
- Breaking Down Complicated Tasks vs Summarizing Exploratory TasksIt's common advice within the Getting Things Done philosophy to suggest breaking down complicated tasks into smaller pieces.
- How I Reduced my Weekly Review Process to Just 15 MinutesHow long is your Weekly Review? Does it take so long that you skip it most weeks? Do you have a Weekly Review process at all?
- Weekend Brew — May 15, 2021This week we have some fun articles discussing leading during a transition, channel strategies, and SPACs. Also, take a look at my article on Parkinson's Law...
- Paying Yourself First and Parkinson's LawMany personal finance books like Money: Master the Game and Rich Dad Poor Dad recommend paying yourself first. This means once you receive your paycheck, you...
- Weekend Brew — May 9, 2021This weekend we cover articles on leading under stress, the positive effects of recognition, and the ongoing dialog of remote work post COVID. In addition,...
- Book Notes: Money: Master the GameMoney: Master the Game by Tony Robbins is a helpful book in how to manage your investment portfolio and save for retirement. It provides a combination of...
- Weekend Brew — May 2, 2021This week covers some great reads on running One-on-One meetings for managers, various tech articles covering Tetris and the smart remote, and an article...
- A Love-Hate Relationship with EvernoteEvernote has served as an "everything bucket" for over a decade now. In the app's earlier days, this was a great feature.
- Book Notes: Rich Dad Poor DadRich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert T. Kiyosaki is framed as a parable of the author as a boy taking financial advice from his friend’s rich dad (questions remain...
- Weekend Brew — April 24, 2021This week's roundup covers some great reads on post lockdown topics in navigating this new world we are in, some news in the world of tech, and some...
- Balancing Simplicity and Utility in your Task ManagerI’ve tried many task managers, including OmniFocus, Things, and Apple Reminders.
- Book Notes: Predictable RevenuePredictable Revenue, by Aaron Ross and Marylou Tyler describes how the author ran a successful Inside Sales team within the company, Salesforce.com. The...
- Stop "Thinking Out Loud" in your EmailsMany don't take the opportunity to write. Write for oneself, write ideas for personal notes, journal, or even publish. And writing is a great medium to think...
- Weekend Brew — April 10, 2021This week’s article roundup features some discussions on senior leadership, sales leadership, personal finances, and video games. Enjoy!
- Weekend Brew — April 3, 2021This week's article roundup includes some great reads on Habit forming and continual practice, the rapidly changing world of Crypto, Sales Development and...
- Post-Quarantine ThoughtsWe are gradually re-opening. More people are eligible to get the vaccine every day.
- Super Mario 3D All Stars No Longer Available on the Nintendo StoreI get the built-in scarcity to drum up demand, but still not quite fully understanding the decision to remove this game from their online shop.
- Weekly Article Roundup — March 28, 2021This week’s reading consists of some helpful management advice, passive income business models, and productivity tips. Enjoy!
- Weekly Article Roundup — March 20, 2021This week features a roundup of articles ranging from The Legend of Zelda to Utility Bill Politics. Enjoy!
- The Hype Around Cryptocurrency SpeculationMost people hate carrying and spending cash. It’s inconvenient. It’s bulky. You risk losing it. And when you spend it, you get your change, creating MORE...
- Weekly Article Roundup — March 13, 2021Some new articles I've found interesting reads this week…
- Weekly Article Roundup — March 7, 2021A quick collection of articles I’ve read this week that I’ve found interesting.
- A Manager’s Guide to OKRsGoal setting, tracking, and accountability can be a challenge when managing a team and driving results that have an impact. What are the right goals for your...
- Five Years of Journaling — Learnings and ObservationsFor the past five years, in addition to maintaining a daily meditation habit, I’ve also kept a daily journal. I’ve handwritten journal entries in a physical...
2020
- Book Notes: The 5 Elements of Effective ThinkingThe 5 Elements of Effective Thinking, by Edward Burger and Michael Starbird explores better ways to learn, explore an idea, and brainstorm. I’ve found the...
- Book Notes: The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by, Al Ries and Jack TroutThe 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing is a business classic and a must-read for anyone trying to understand the principles of marketing. As the title suggests,...
- What I’ve Learned by Meditating Every Day for the Past 5 YearsSince 2015, I’ve meditated for at least five minutes every day. While I’ve learned a lot about mindfulness, I’m no expert. That can take decades. That makes...