Ever felt stuck trying to learn something new—like your brain hits a wall? You’re not alone. Whether it’s picking up a new language, learning to code, or understanding complex topics like investing or psychology, the problem often isn’t the subject—it’s how we approach learning.
Mental models are thinking tools that help us understand the world. When it comes to learning, using the right models can make everything clearer, faster, and more memorable. Here are 10 powerful mental models you can use to learn just about anything better.
1. The Map Is Not the Territory
This means that no theory, model, or explanation is the exact real thing. It’s just a simplified version of it. When learning, don’t confuse reading about something with truly understanding or doing it.
How to use it: Read, yes—but also apply. Test. Do. Experience. It’s the difference between reading a recipe and actually cooking the dish.
2. First Principles Thinking
Popularized by Elon Musk, this means breaking things down to their most basic truths and building from there. Instead of relying on assumptions or "the way it’s always been done," you start from scratch.
How to use it: Ask, “What do I know for sure about this topic?” Then, rebuild your understanding from the ground up. Great for truly grasping tough concepts like physics, math, or finance.
3. The Feynman Technique
Named after Nobel-winning physicist Richard Feynman, this model is all about explaining what you’ve learned in simple terms.
How to use it:
Learn the topic.
Pretend to teach it to a child.
Find gaps in your explanation.
Go back and study those parts again.
If you can’t explain it simply, you probably don’t understand it well yet.
4. Chunking
Our brains can only hold so much at once (around 7 items). Chunking means grouping bits of information together into a single “chunk” that’s easier to remember.
How to use it: Group facts into categories. Use acronyms, visuals, or storylines to turn long lists into meaningful units. Like turning a random phone number into 3 manageable chunks.
5. Spaced Repetition
This is a memory model based on how our brains forget. If you review info just before you’re about to forget it, it sticks much longer.
How to use it: Use tools like Anki or Quizlet. Spread your study sessions out over time instead of cramming. Revisit info days later, then weeks later.
6. Inversion
Instead of only asking, “How do I learn this?” ask, “How could I fail to learn this?” or “What would make me forget this quickly?”
How to use it: Identify common learning mistakes—like distractions, lack of sleep, or never applying what you read—and avoid them. It’s often easier to remove the bad than add the good.
7. The Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule)
Roughly 80% of your results come from 20% of your effort. Focus on what matters most.
How to use it: When learning, ask: “What 20% of this content will give me 80% of the understanding?” Focus on core ideas before digging into the details.
8. Growth Mindset
Coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, this model means believing that your ability can improve with effort. Contrast that with a fixed mindset, where people believe they’re either smart or they’re not.
How to use it: Embrace challenges and mistakes as part of learning. Replace “I’m not good at this” with “I’m not good at this yet.”
9. Confirmation Bias
Our brains love being right. So when we learn something new, we tend to seek out info that agrees with what we already believe.
How to use it: Challenge your views. Seek opposing perspectives. Ask: “What would prove me wrong?” It’s uncomfortable, but it deepens learning.
10. Mental Models Stack
This last one is meta: it’s about using multiple mental models together. No single model is perfect. But when you layer them, they help you see things from multiple angles.
How to use it: Mix and match these models. Use Feynman + Spaced Repetition. Use Inversion + Growth Mindset. The more tools you use, the better your thinking becomes.
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