Analysing your IQ
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Among competing hypotheses, prefer the one with the fewest assumptions.
Mental models are thinking tools. Occam's Razor is one of the most powerful—used by successful founders, investors, and strategists to cut through complexity.
When diagnosing problems, start with the simplest explanation before inventing complex theories.
This model works because it strips away irrelevant detail and exposes the core structure of a problem. Most people reason by analogy ("what do others do?"); this framework forces you to think from first principles.
If your code doesn't work, check for typos before assuming a framework bug.
This model is most useful when you're stuck. If your current approach isn't working, Occam's Razor often reveals the hidden constraint.
Over-applying: Not every problem benefits from this model. Match the tool to the situation.
Under-applying: People learn the model but don't practice it. Application takes repetition.
Misunderstanding the principle: Surface-level understanding leads to poor execution. Study the examples.
Ignoring context: The same model works differently in different domains. Adapt accordingly.
Identify a current decision you're facing. Write down the assumptions you're making. Challenge each one.
Look at a past failure. Apply Occam's Razor retroactively—would it have changed the outcome?
Teach the model to someone else. If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.
Set a reminder to apply this model once per week for the next month. Track the results.
The best thinkers have internalized multiple mental models and apply them fluidly based on context.
Mental models require specific cognitive traits to execute. Do you have the Intelligence for this?
Among competing hypotheses, prefer the one with the fewest assumptions.
When diagnosing problems, start with the simplest explanation before inventing complex theories.
If your code doesn't work, check for typos before assuming a framework bug.
Use Occam's Razor when facing complex decisions in the reasoning domain, when conventional approaches aren't working, or when you need a structured framework for analysis.
Occam's Razor is used by strategic thinkers, business leaders, and anyone who needs to make high-stakes decisions under uncertainty. It's particularly popular in investing, startups, and engineering.
Yes. Mental models are learnable skills, not innate talents. The key is deliberate practice—actively applying the model to real decisions, not just reading about it.