How to think using a framework

How to think using a framework.



I want to share this mental tool I am using to tackle my communication challenge, it is
framework thinking.

What is Framework thinking?

Framework thinking is a concept that helps us organize our thoughts to make good
decisions,  improve our communication skills, and clear the doubt in our thinking
process.

Framework thinking has helped me to write principles and mental models to solve
problems. It allows me quantify the correct answer to give in conversation quickly. Ithas helped me, and It can also help you to improve your communication skills.

My challenge is speaking in public has never been easy for me. I observed a lot of awkward pauses. I rambled
with my words. I pay attention to myself to know what is the fundamental cause. I then stumbled across this
video from my friend Vicky Zhao on YouTube and this articles online. I did an exploring study to understand
what framework thinking is about.

What is Framework Thinking?

Framework thinking is a systematic concept to solve problems and decision-making. It involves organizing our
thoughts and knowledge into a structure so that we can identify the key lever that influences a result. it breaks
things down to its essence.

The human mind is very powerful if we can use it. It works like a camera, if you focus on structures to help you
in making good decisions, things will start working for you, as Epictetus said "You are what you give your
attention to." and why you always find whatever you seek. Here are my findings to optimize my thinking
process.

Application of thinking framework to understand how things work

What I do is collect principles and mental models to help me optimize my life. An example is the quote, I look on
in the morning from Marcus Aurelius - " when you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive,
to think, to enjoy, to love"

Mental models: are the simplest form we store information in our brains. We cannot keep all the details of the
world in our brains. It is the building blocks of a framework.  The connection of two and more mental models is
referred to as the latticework. If we can build multiples of mental models, and actively connect them to other
mental models. It will make us talk about a variety of things and enable us to analyze and solve problems.

As Charlie Munger said, “You can't really know anything if you just remember isolated facts and try and bang
'em back. If the facts don’t hang together on a lattice of theory, you don't have them in a useful form."

Example
Control + perspective = ready

This is a framework I used to efficiently analyze any problems, and be ready to take action.
Control helps me to create space in my mind so that I can think,  and clear space in my world, so I can focus on
the things that are important to me.

Perspective: is the ability to see where I am and where I want to be in future. My ability to direct my action
towards my goals.  Perspective is the vision, the why behind anything I choose to do. If I understand where my
actions are leading me, it will help me to take action.  And have great momentum towards the dream. It can help
me take advantage of anything that comes into my life.

Ready is a situation when I  am focused on things within my control, and direct my attention towards my goal,
meaning I am fully prepared for an action. it's the ideal state, the ability to stay focused, relaxed and engaged in
whatever you are doing. Paulo Coelho said, "All you have to do is pay attention; lessons always arrive when you
are ready."

To fix my problem, I have to discipline my mind to framework thinking, continue questioning my assumption,
and seek feedback from others. 

I understand the reason why I am always rambling with words is because of fear. I am always under pressure to
impress others. Secondly, as I present my speech, I do the thinking and narrow it down at the same time. I did not
prepare, my thoughts are not arranged in writing. As Joan Didion said, “I write entirely out what I’m thinking,
what I’m looking at, what it means.”

Framework thinking requires commitment and long-life learning. As Steve Burns writes in an article " To keep
your thinking framework robust and up to date, you must commit to lifelong learning, This means constantly
expanding your knowledge base and seeking new models to add to your lattice. Regularly exposing yourself to
new ideas and experience can help refine and improve your thinking framework."

Where do I find frameworks:

I have not seen any subject called framework thinking in school. You can focus, pay attention to recognize
patterns and actively connect different mental models. The interesting thing is as you start, you will start seeing
different patterns from it. You can find them in textbooks, videos, podcasts, on the internet and even in
conversations with others. I got this one, Control + Perspective = ready, from a book, Getting things done by
David Allen. It is like a bible for productivity to me. Click here to read it

This is the main reason I love reading books, watching videos and listening to podcasts to identify different
model models and life-changing principles.

Example



Apple University (internal program)  teaches new employees how to think and how the company designs its
product with Picasso's art, the bull, created in late 1945. Picasso was drawing bulls, trying to capture the essence
of it. He called it, the spirit of the beast. He iterates and tries to bring it down to the skull and down to something
very abstract, just a few lines to represent the horns, the body and the legs. This great artist turns an idea into a
masterpiece.

I have started writing book summaries, smart notes from my favourite books and notes from some of my
day-to-day conversations with people. I will try to replicate what Pablo Picasso did on the things that resonate
with me. Am still testing this, and I will always update my process and progress.

This is now a game-changer for me. I perceive a significant change in my mind, and that I am a great
communicator. I believe in the actualisation of any thought I concede in my mind. I have started trying it, and
I will be sharing my progress subsequently