If Elon Musk, Charlie Munger, Jeff Bezos, and Steve Jobs swear by something, these mental models. there’s probably a reason you should too.

Mental models—the frameworks and principles used to simplify and understand complex systems—are the secret weapons of the greatest thinkers. They act as a toolkit for decision-making, problem-solving, and navigating life’s chaos.

Let me walk you through 20 powerful mental models inspired by the brightest minds in history.

1. The Bloom-Bilal Rule

“When bored and lacking ideas, keep walking until the day becomes interesting.”

It’s a call to action: step away from monotony. Ideas don’t live in isolation; they thrive in motion. A simple walk could turn into your next lightbulb moment.

2. Perell’s Hotel Bathroom Principle

“Dress well enough to enter any hotel bathroom unnoticed.”

This principle is less about attire and more about confidence. Present yourself in a way that naturally opens doors—both metaphorically and literally.

3. Social Proof Razor

When Sylvan Goldman invented the shopping trolley, people scoffed. To shift perception, he paid actors to casually use them in stores. Guess what? Everyone followed suit.

Takeaway: People copy people. If you want your ideas to gain traction, engineer their adoption.

4. Walt Disney’s Rule

“When struggling to think, draw it out.”

A single doodle can spark a million-dollar idea. Just ask Walt Disney, whose sketches shaped an empire. Visualization often beats overthinking.

5. Narcissism Razor

“Don’t worry about people’s opinions; they’re too busy worrying about others’ opinions.”

We’re all extras in someone else’s movie. Liberate yourself from the shackles of judgment, and focus on the narrative you’re creating.

6. Second-Order Thinking

Most people stop at the first consequence. The sharpest minds, however, explore the ripple effects.

Example: That shortcut at work might save time now, but will it compromise quality and cost you later?

7. Speed Matters

Faster actions require less energy. Break tasks into smaller chunks, and move swiftly. Procrastination thrives in hesitation; beat it with momentum.

8. Groupthink

Beware of the herd mentality. Groupthink prioritizes consensus over truth, often leading to flawed decisions. Dare to challenge the collective narrative.

9. Ad Hominem

Attack arguments, not people. This fallacy—common in politics and online debates—derails constructive conversations. Focus on ideas, not egos.

10. The Texas Sharpshooter

A Texan fires randomly at a barn and then paints a target around the closest cluster of holes. That’s cherry-picking data, a trap we often fall into.

Lesson: Don’t retrofit conclusions. Seek evidence that challenges your assumptions.

11. Occam’s Razor

“The simplest explanation is usually correct.”

Einstein said it best: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.”

12. The Map is Not the Territory

Your perception of reality isn’t reality itself. The menu isn’t the meal; the blueprint isn’t the building. Always verify your assumptions.

13. Hanlon’s Razor

“Never attribute to malice what can be explained by stupidity.”

Most people aren’t plotting against you—they’re just trying to figure things out too.

14. Parkinson’s Law

“Work expands to fill the time available.”

If you set a two-week deadline for a two-hour task, guess how long it will take? Deadlines should be aggressive, not generous.

15. Circle of Competence

Warren Buffett nails it: “The size of your circle isn’t important. Knowing its boundaries is.” Stay in your lane; mastery is found within.

16. Survivorship Bias

We celebrate the few who succeed while ignoring the many who fail. Just because some billionaires dropped out of college doesn’t mean it’s a universal formula for success.

17. The Lindy Effect

“The longer something has existed, the longer it’s likely to last.”

A book read for 100 years will likely endure another 100. The latest bestseller? It will be forgotten by next year.

18. Availability Cascade

The more you hear something, the more you believe it. Repetition breeds belief—even if it’s false. This is why propaganda works.

19. Dunning-Kruger Effect

Beginners think they know everything; experts know how much they don’t know. The less you understand, the more confident you are. Humility is the hallmark of wisdom.

20. The Pygmalion Effect

People perform according to the expectations placed upon them. Believe in someone’s potential, and they’ll often rise to meet it.

Conclusion: A Mental Model Toolkit for Life

Mental models are more than intellectual curiosities—they’re tools for:

• Make better decisions.
• Think sharper.
• Act smarter.

Adopt these 20 models and start seeing the world through a sharper lens. The best thinkers didn’t just stumble upon brilliance; they built it with frameworks like these.

What’s your favorite mental model? Let me know in the comments. I will briefly explain those topics in my next blog. see you then…