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Thinking

Critical thinking, cognitive biases, decision-making, and learning to see clearly. The operating system behind everything else.

137 advices
Thinking

What to Do When You're Sure You're Right and Everyone Else Disagrees

Before doubling down, actively try to disprove yourself — conviction that survives challenge is worth having.

13
Thinking

What to Do When Someone Presents "Facts" That Feel Off

Most dubious claims crumble under three honest questions — and if they hold up, update your view.

23
Thinking

What to Do When Your Gut Says One Thing and the Data Says Another

If your intuition comes from domain experience, listen to it; if it comes from discomfort, trust the data.

9
Thinking

What to Do When You Keep Going in Circles on the Same Problem

Circular thinking means a missing piece, not insufficient effort — write down your assumptions and find the wrong one.

10
Thinking

What to Do When Unexpected Success Comes Your Way

Honestly assess how much was skill, timing, and luck — accurate calibration beats false confidence.

11
Thinking

What to Do When You're Asked to Decide Under Pressure

Artificial urgency is a manipulation tactic — legitimate opportunities allow time for thought.

12
Thinking

Replace "I Think" with "I Currently Believe Because..."

Stating your reasoning out loud keeps your mind open to changing it.

13
Thinking

No Plan Survives Contact with Reality — But Planning Still Matters

The value of planning is the preparation to adapt, not the plan itself.

13
Thinking

If the Problem Keeps Returning, It's Probably a System

Recurring problems are structural symptoms — redesign the system, don't just fix the instance.

10
Thinking

"If We Allow This, Everything Will Collapse" Is Rarely True

One change rarely triggers an unstoppable chain reaction — each step has its own decision point.

12
Thinking

Attack the Argument, Not the Person Making It

Judge the argument on its own merits, regardless of who delivers it.

9
Thinking

Know When to Decide Fast and When to Decide Slow

Move fast on decisions you can undo and slow down on decisions you cannot.

11
Thinking

Follow the Incentives and You'll Predict the Behavior

To understand behavior, look at incentives, not stated values — people respond to what they are rewarded for.

5
Thinking

Before Removing a Rule, Understand Why It Was Created

Understand a rule's purpose before you decide it's unnecessary.

18
Thinking

Subtraction Often Works Better Than Addition

Removing what doesn't work often beats adding something new.

11
Thinking

Ask "Why" Five Times and You'll Find the Real Problem

The first answer is usually a symptom — the root cause hides deeper.

7
Thinking

Don't Trust Advice from People Who Have No Skin in the Game

Weigh advice by how much the advisor stands to lose if they're wrong.

11
Thinking

Feedback Loops Explain More of Life Than You Think

What looks like a fixed trait is often a loop you can interrupt.

7