Quick Update on TOHacks!
Applications for the TOHacks 2021 hackathon are due this Friday, April 30!
In addition to our 24-hour hackathon happening May 8-9, we have over 18 hours of workshops, activities, and networking for participants in the days leading up to the hackathon.
Challenge yourself amongst 1000+ other participants, network with our sponsors, and get a chance to win over $25,000+ in cash and prizes! By just applying, you will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win AirPods!
Participant applications close on April 30: https://app.tohacks.ca/
Mentor/judge applications also close April 30: https://forms.gle/fFqzeEAKeE3u9KTZ8
Mental Models - What are they?
There are a plethora of mental models out there. You may apply a model subconsciously or with an intention to help make a tough decision.
So what is a mental model? Julian Shapiro sums it up pretty well:
Mental models are frameworks for thinking. They simplify complex situations so you can reason through them easily. They help you make good, long-term decisions without needing to know everything about a situation.
Benefits and Using Mental Models
Julian also mentions 2 major benefits:
They help you assess how systems work, in a way you may not have realized.
They help you make better decisions amongst all the variables and complexity present.
So how should you use mental models? Anne-Laurie from Ness Labs says:
Be aware of your thinking by asking yourself provoking questions
Gather information to challenge your thinking with actual facts
Inquire into other people’s thinking and challenge their views
Resist jumping to conclusions and suspend your assumptions
Look for recurring thought patterns and unlearn them
3 Examples of Mental Models
Now, let's dive into examples of some mental models you may not have heard about.
Reitoff Principle: When people intentionally decide to take a day off, it gives them the mental peace of mind to enjoy. It’s okay to take time to re-energize, and it's natural to take a day off.
First Principles: What is the best way to solve a given problem if you started from the smallest fundamental unit. Author James Clear says:
First-principles thinking helps you to cobble together information from different disciplines to create new ideas and innovations. You start by getting to the facts. Once you have a foundation of facts, you can make a plan to improve each little piece. This process naturally leads to exploring widely for better substitutes.
Inversion: This mental model came from Carl Jacobi, a German mathematician. His approach to solving math problems was to start from the opposite side. Instead of asking how to do something, ask how to not do it. This allows the user to better highlight blockers that weren't obvious initially. Here are a few examples:
Leaders can ask themselves, “What would someone do each day if they were a terrible manager?” Good leaders would likely avoid those actions.
Relationships: Think about which traits might ruin a friendship. Don’t embody those traits.
Productivity: What if I wanted to let my mind wander? What distractions are present?
Below the Fold
Quote: “Twitter is great for writers, investors, and entrepreneurs because when you post your thoughts you get instant feedback that’s more unfiltered than anything you’ll get face to face.” - Allison Allen
Handbook: Growth Marketing by Julain Shapiro
Article: How to Become Insanely Well-Connected (First Round Review)
Tweet:
Thank you to Ananya, Emily, and Shwetha for the feedback and edits.