Mental Models for Achieving My Goals in 2023

Credit: Sander Sammy

Two years ago, I set personal moonshot, 10-year goals across different areas of my life. I made my highest ambition to be the best version of myself. Because of that, I am constantly seeking new ways to grow and improve. One of my long-term goals is to build a one-person company worth $1 billion. While this may seem like a lofty ambition, I truly believe it is achievable with hard work, dedication, and suitable mental models that will help me make better decisions.

In this journey, I will rely on various mental models to guide my thinking and decision-making, including:

1. the First Principle Thinking
2. The 80/20 Principle
3. Pomodoro Technique
4. Growth Mindset,
5. and the Power of Habit.

By consistently applying these mental models to my work and personal development, I am confident that I can achieve my goal of building a successful one-person company in 2023.

1. First Principle Thinking:

This mental model involves breaking down complex problems into their fundamental principles and reasoning. For example, when trying to improve my time management skills, I can use the First Principle Thinking by asking myself, “What is the most basic principle that underlies my ability to manage my time effectively?” and then build my strategy from there.

One way I have used First Principle Thinking in my personal development journey is by breaking down my long-term goals into smaller, more manageable steps. Rather than trying to tackle my goals all at once, I have found it helpful to identify the fundamental principles that underlie each goal and work on them one at a time.

2. The 80/20 Principle:

This mental model suggests that a small number of inputs (20%) lead to many outputs (80%). In my personal development journey, I can use the 80/20 principle by focusing on the 20% of activities that will give me the most significant results and letting go of the rest.

For example, let’s say you want to improve your physical health. Using the 80/20 principle, you might focus on the 20% of behaviors that will impact your health, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly and let go of the other 80% of less essential behaviors.

3. The Pomodoro Technique:

This mental model involves breaking down work into small, focused increments (usually 25 minutes) separated by short breaks. By using the Pomodoro Technique, I can improve my productivity and prevent burnout.

I have found the Pomodoro Technique to be a helpful tool for improving my productivity. I have stayed focused and avoided feeling overwhelmed by breaking my work into focused increments.

4. Growth Mindset:

This mental model involves the belief that one’s abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. In my personal development journey, I can use the growth mindset by embracing challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning rather than dwelling on them as failures.

One way I have applied the growth mindset in my personal development journey is by taking on new challenges outside my comfort zone. For example, I recently started a side hustle to generate passive income, which required me to learn new skills and push myself beyond my limits. By embracing this challenge and focusing on learning and growth, I have been able to make significant progress in my personal development.

5. The Power of Habit:

This mental model suggests that small, consistent actions can lead to significant changes over time. In my personal development journey, I can use the power of habit by building positive habits that support my goals and breaking negative habits that hold me back.

For example, let’s say you want to improve your financial health. You could use the power of habit by setting aside a small amount of money each month for saving and investing and breaking the habit of overspending or living beyond your means. Over time, these small, consistent actions can add up to significant improvements in your financial health.

Take Action

Now, I encourage you to take the following actions to put these mental models into practice:

1. Identify the mental models that are most relevant to your personal development goals. Think about what you want to achieve in 2023 and how each mental model might help you reach your goals.
2. Experiment with applying different mental models to your development journey. Try out different mental models and see which ones work best for you.
3. Seek out resources and support to help you apply mental models effectively. Many books, articles, and other resources can help you learn more about mental models and how to use them in your personal development journey. Consider finding a mentor or coach who can provide guidance and support as you work towards your goals.
4. Celebrate your progress and accomplishments along the way. Recognizing and appreciating your progress toward becoming the best version of yourself is crucial.

Incorporating mental models into your personal development journey can be a powerful way to guide your thinking and decision-making, helping you achieve your goals in 2023 and beyond. By breaking down complex problems into their fundamental principles, focusing on the 20% of activities that will produce the most significant results, improving your productivity with the Pomodoro Technique, embracing challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth with a growth mindset, and building positive habits with the power of habit, you can set yourself up for success and make progress towards becoming the best version of yourself.