By Alex BroganUpdated
The most important decision in any career or research agenda is which problems to work on. Working hard on the wrong problem is worse than working moderately on the right one.
Free playbook
58 business models, one visual page each: how the money flows, the metrics that matter, and who runs it. Free when you join the Faster Than Normal email.
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
The most important decision in any career or research agenda is which problems to work on. Working hard on the wrong problem is worse than working moderately on the right one.
To apply Choosing Important Problems, identify situations where this framework is relevant, then use it as a lens to evaluate your options and decisions. The model is most useful when combined with other complementary mental models.
Choosing Important Problems falls under the High Performance & Learning category of mental models. Other models in this category can be found on the High Performance & Learning hub page.
Choosing Important Problems is important because it provides a structured way to think about problems that would otherwise be approached with intuition alone. Understanding this model helps you avoid common reasoning errors and make better decisions.
Choosing Important Problems is discussed in the tradition of Richard Hamming.
Mental model
Deep Work
Sustained, distraction-free concentration on cognitively demanding tasks that pr
Mental model
Deliberate Practice
Structured, purposeful practice with immediate feedback that targets specific we
Mental model
Flow State
An optimal state of consciousness where challenge and skill are perfectly matche
Mental model
Spaced Repetition
A learning technique that schedules review sessions at expanding intervals to ex
Mental model
10,000 Hour Rule
Mental model
80/20 Rule (Pareto)
Free playbook
58 business models, one visual page each: how the money flows, the metrics that matter, and who runs it. Free when you join the Faster Than Normal email.
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
We use cookies to run the site, remember your preferences, and for analytics and visitor identification. Where the law requires it, these only run with your consent; everywhere else you can opt out here. See our Cookie Policy.