Use Mental Models to Frame a New Reality

“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.” ― James Clear, Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

With the myriad of choices available, mental models help frame thinking to make better decisions and to prompt action. James Clear narrowed down the top mental models from over 1000 mental models. Other valuable resources to help you explore mental models include:

https://nesslabs.com/mental-models

https://www.julian.com/blog/mental-model-examples

https://www.tudorcodes.com/blog/5-books-about-mental-models-worth-your-time/

What limiting beliefs and narratives are preventing you from starting? Consider how mental models can help you jumpstart action to make progress on your goals.

“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow. The task of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us. And the task of building a good habit is like cultivating a delicate flower one day at a time.”― James Clear

Play Time - Bring It On!

“Now this relaxation of the mind from work consists on playful words or deeds. Therefore it becomes a wise and virtuous man to have recourse to such things at times.” – Thomas Aquinas

Where we focus our finite time, attention and capacity defines the quality and depth of our days. The actions of experimenting and exploring help us discover what is most important to us. Our core values should drive how and what we spend our time on to make our days meaningful and fulfilling.

“Doing more with less” is empty mantra that corporate America has been serving up for decades, which accounts for the 34% employee engagement rate as measured by Gallup. While the numbers have improved, 53% are in the “not engaged” category. The sheer volume of what’s expected will not be solved with more technology or multi-tasking schemes. How about “doing less with more” and creating lasting value?

Engagement in an activity, whether it be work, a side gig or a hobby that requires passion and commitment which compels us to put effort into the activity.

One important way to re-engage and rediscover your passion is play. In “Adults need recess too. Here’s why you need time to play”, Tolu Ajiboye describes how playing games, exercising, hobbies and laughter facilitate creativity and problem-solving skills as well improve our cognitive health and happiness.

“Clinical psychologist and chief of the Division of Psychology at Ellis Hospital, Dr. Rudy Nydegger, says there are two basic tenets of play. ‘First, it is something that we do for recreation that is purely for enjoyment and/or entertainment — it is something we do just for fun," he says. "Second, it is something that is intrinsically motivating. In other words it is something that we want to do and is not something we need to be coerced or 'bribed' into doing. It is voluntary; we do it just because we want to.’”

Integrating play into our days not only makes life more fun and each us more fun to be around, it can improve the outcomes of our efforts and relationships. Don’t wait for vacation to get more play time in. Commit to it every day.

Do less and play more. Recess has begun, let the games begin.