How Archimedes & Napoleon Used Mental Models to Move the World
Written and curated by Alf
In my journey as a founder and thinker, I've discovered that learning about mental models and how to use them has been a game-changer.
Mental models: It's what the top 1% of thinkers leverage—powerful ideas compressed into smaller chunks.
We can join this elite group by applying and using mental models—shortcuts to smarter thinking. These tools unlock better problem-solving and sharper decisions.
What Are Mental Models?
To me, mental models are like the Swiss Army knives of thinking. They're ideas, methods, and proven solutions to common problems that have stood the test of time. I've found that they help me make better decisions and think more clearly.
Shane Parrish explains it in a way that really resonates with me:
A mental model is a compression of how something works.
Like a map, mental models reveal key information while ignoring irrelevant details.
Models concentrate the world into understandable and usable chunks.
In other words, I see mental models as simplifiers of complex ideas. They're like shortcuts for our brain, helping us grasp big ideas without getting lost in the details.
What I find amazing about these mental model "chunks" is that they free up space in our brains. When we learn these models well, we can think more efficiently. It's like tidying up your mental workspace.
"One of the first steps toward gaining expertise in math and science is to create conceptual chunks – mental leaps that unite separate bits of information through meaning.
Once you chunk an idea or concept, you don't need to remember all the little underlying details; you've got the main idea – the chunk – and that's enough."
By learning many mental models, I've built a strong foundation for thinking. This mental toolbox helps me make judgments, decisions, and stay on track.
Let me share three models that have fundamentally changed how I think and live.
1. Compounding: Small Efforts, Big Results
Compounding has been a revelation for me. It's the secret to big growth over time, and I've seen it work for money, skills, and even fitness. The key, I've learned, is to keep at it and be patient.
Trees are wonderful examples of compounding, as they grow one carbon molecule at a time, gradually building their mass and structure over years to become towering giants of the forest, demonstrating the power of small, consistent additions over time.
I love this tree analogy. It reminds me that big changes don't happen overnight. They grow bit by bit, year after year. Over time, small efforts compound into something huge.
In my experience, fitness doesn't happen by chance. Health and vitality come from consistent daily effort, allowing results to build up over time.
Fitness isn't luck; it's daily effort compounded.
This idea works beautifully for learning too. I've grown my curiosity and built up a wealth of knowledge about things I find interesting by applying this principle.
Take Napoleon Bonaparte, for example. He didn't become a great military leader overnight. He spent years imagining himself as a commander. This mental practice prepared him for his future role.
I've adopted a similar approach. Each day, I learn new ideas that interest me, slowly building my knowledge. It's a process I've come to cherish.
Wisdom is curiosity compounded.
To really understand compounding, I like to think of a lion hunting:
The hunt starts slowly, like how compound growth begins small.
The lion speeds up, just like how compounding effects grow faster over time.
In the final chase, the lion shows its full power – like how compound growth can lead to huge results.
A successful hunt gives the lion energy for future hunts – just like how compound growth feeds into itself.
The secret I've discovered to turning normal effort into amazing results? Make your goal a habit. It's about taking small, steady steps over a long time.
2. Leverage: Doing More with Less
"Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world"
This quote from Archimedes perfectly captures the power of leverage. I've learned that with the right tools, even a small effort can have a big impact.
"It is easier to conquer than to administer. With enough leverage, a finger could overturn the world; but to support the world, one must have the shoulders of Hercules." — Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau's words remind me that leverage can make big changes easy, but maintaining those changes takes ongoing effort.
Leverage is my favorite mental model. It's about making your efforts go further.
In business, I've seen leverage work wonders. It's about creating systems that multiply what you do. This can be through people, technology, or even a strong vision. Look at Steve Jobs: his clear vision for Apple – mixing technology with human needs – set Apple apart from other companies.
Leverage isn't just about doing more—it's about amplifying effort. In business, smart systems multiply effort through people, media, creativity, and code.
It's working harder and working smarter, and reaching further.
Or think about Warren Buffett's company, Berkshire Hathaway. They keep a lot of cash ready. This lets them buy good companies at low prices when the economy is down. It's a smart way to use money as leverage.
In my own ventures, I've learned that leverage is about building a system of tools and resources that give you a big advantage and time to think.
3. Saving Energy: Our Natural Instinct
Throughout my studies of human behavior, I've realized that we have a deep-rooted need to save energy and resources. It's a survival instinct that's been with us throughout history. Creatures that waste energy don't do well in nature.
Understanding this instinct has been eye-opening for me. It shows that we often have more energy than we think. The key is changing how we act to fit our modern world with more resources.
For business owners like myself, this instinct to save energy is an opportunity. If you can offer a way to make hard tasks easier – like building websites or changing tires – you're tapping into a basic human need. This can be the foundation of a successful business.
Imagine if we were wired to use as much energy as possible. We'd never use comfy shoes and we'd run at full speed until we collapsed.
It's a tough world to picture, right?
Understanding this energy-saving instinct has helped me push harder, even when I feel tired in body and mind.
My Key Takeaways:
Mental models are thinking tools that help us understand complex ideas more easily, freeing up brain space for better decision-making.
Compounding isn't just for money – it applies to personal growth, skills, and knowledge too. Small, consistent efforts over time lead to big results.
The "Save Energy" mental model explains why we naturally look for easier ways to do things. This can be used for personal growth and business ideas.
Learning these mental models has been like upgrading my brain's software. They've helped me understand the world better and build my own path within it.
By deepening our understanding of human behavior—both our own and others'—we can gain a significant edge in life's various arenas.
There's a whole world of mental models out there waiting to be explored and applied. Enjoy the hunt for knowledge.
Absolutely loving this Alf!