A "razor" is a mental shortcut to help you decide faster.
I collect the most powerful razors.
Here are eight of them:
I collect the most powerful razors.
Here are eight of them:
The Occam's Razor:
When two explanations compete, start with the simpler one.
Complex theories often hide our lack of understanding.
For example, if your computer isn't working, check if it's plugged in before assuming the motherboard is fried.
Simple solutions reveal deeper truths, while complexity often masks confusion.
When two explanations compete, start with the simpler one.
Complex theories often hide our lack of understanding.
For example, if your computer isn't working, check if it's plugged in before assuming the motherboard is fried.
Simple solutions reveal deeper truths, while complexity often masks confusion.
The Hanlon's Razor:
Look for honest mistakes before assuming bad intentions.
If a coworker misses a deadline, they're probably overwhelmed, not trying to sabotage you.
This mindset builds stronger relationships and teams by replacing suspicion with empathy.
Watch how quickly conflicts dissolve when you assume people are doing their best.
Look for honest mistakes before assuming bad intentions.
If a coworker misses a deadline, they're probably overwhelmed, not trying to sabotage you.
This mindset builds stronger relationships and teams by replacing suspicion with empathy.
Watch how quickly conflicts dissolve when you assume people are doing their best.
The Uphill Decision Razor:
Take the harder path today for an easier tomorrow.
It's like choosing to exercise - it hurts now but makes you stronger.
The best choices often feel uncomfortable at first.
When everyone runs from the challenge, run toward it.
Your future self will thank you.
Take the harder path today for an easier tomorrow.
It's like choosing to exercise - it hurts now but makes you stronger.
The best choices often feel uncomfortable at first.
When everyone runs from the challenge, run toward it.
Your future self will thank you.
The Rooms Razor:
If you're the smartest person in the room, find a new room.
Growth happens at the edges of your comfort zone.
Seek out people who make you feel slightly intimidated - they're your best teachers.
The moment you stop feeling challenged is the moment you stop growing.
If you're the smartest person in the room, find a new room.
Growth happens at the edges of your comfort zone.
Seek out people who make you feel slightly intimidated - they're your best teachers.
The moment you stop feeling challenged is the moment you stop growing.
The Sagan Standard:
Big claims need big proof.
If someone promises to double your money overnight, ask for evidence.
The more extraordinary the claim, the more rigorous the proof should be.
Let skepticism be your guide through a world of bold promises.
Big claims need big proof.
If someone promises to double your money overnight, ask for evidence.
The more extraordinary the claim, the more rigorous the proof should be.
Let skepticism be your guide through a world of bold promises.
The Serendipity Razor:
Create conditions for luck to find you.
Attend that conference, take that course, start that conversation.
Opportunities multiply when you put yourself out there.
You can't control luck, but you can control your exposure to it.
The more doors you open, the more likely something amazing walks through.
Create conditions for luck to find you.
Attend that conference, take that course, start that conversation.
Opportunities multiply when you put yourself out there.
You can't control luck, but you can control your exposure to it.
The more doors you open, the more likely something amazing walks through.
The Feynman Razor:
Complex jargon often hides shallow understanding.
If you can't explain quantum physics to a child, you don't truly get it.
Clear explanation flows from deep comprehension.
When someone drowns you in buzzwords, they're probably swimming in the shallow end.
Complex jargon often hides shallow understanding.
If you can't explain quantum physics to a child, you don't truly get it.
Clear explanation flows from deep comprehension.
When someone drowns you in buzzwords, they're probably swimming in the shallow end.
The Rare Opportunity Razor:
When a life-changing chance appears, grab it.
These moments are precious and fleeting.
That startup job offer, that chance to move abroad, that unexpected partnership - these asymmetric bets can transform your trajectory.
Don't let fear of the unknown block paths to extraordinary outcomes.
When a life-changing chance appears, grab it.
These moments are precious and fleeting.
That startup job offer, that chance to move abroad, that unexpected partnership - these asymmetric bets can transform your trajectory.
Don't let fear of the unknown block paths to extraordinary outcomes.
Remember: these are mental models that sharpen decision-making.
Use them to cut through confusion and find clarity.
Each one is a tool for seeing the world more clearly and acting more decisively.
Use them to cut through confusion and find clarity.
Each one is a tool for seeing the world more clearly and acting more decisively.
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