# [[📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish]] - [[👤Shane Parrish]]> - [[📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish]]= - [[📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish#Definition - What is the book about]] - [[📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish#Structure - What is the structure of the book]] - [[📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish#Purpose - Why this book is helpful or inspiring]] - [[📚The Book of Pook by Pook#Collections]] - [[📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish#Others]] *** ## Definition - What is the book about Few things will change your trajectory in life or business as much as learning to think clearly. Yet few of us recognize opportunities to think in the first place. You might believe you’re thinking clearly in the moments that matter most. But in all likelihood, when the pressure is on, you won’t be thinking at all. And your subsequent actions will inevitably move you further from the results you ultimately seek—love, belonging, success, wealth, victory. According to Farnam Street founder Shane Parrish, we must get better at recognizing these opportunities for what they are, and deploying our cognitive ability in order to achieve the life we want. Clear Thinking gives you the tools to recognize the moments that have the potential to transform your trajectory, and reshape how you navigate the critical space between stimulus and response. As Parrish shows, we may imagine we are the protagonists in the story of our lives. But the sad truth is, most of us run on autopilot. Our behavioral defaults, groomed by biology, evolution, and culture, are primed to run the show for us if we don’t intervene. At our worst, we react to events without reasoning, not even realizing that we’ve missed an opportunity to think at all. At our best, we recognize these moments for what they are, and apply the full capacity of our reasoning and rationality to them. Through stories, mental models, and more, Parrish offers the missing link between behavioral science and real-life outcomes. The result is a must-have manual for optimizing decision-making, gaining competitive advantage, and living a more intentional life. > 🔝 [[📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish#📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish]] *** ## Structure - What is the structure of the book ### Preface "Unstoppable" by Shane Parrish is a practical guide to mastering clear thinking. The author started working in an intelligence agency in August 2001 and was suddenly thrust into positions and responsibilities he was not ready for after the 9/11 attacks. He realized that he wasn't taught how to think or make decisions in school, and was determined to learn how to think better. Through watching how people acquired information, reasoned, and acted in practice, Parrish sought out the best in the world to learn their methodologies for clear thinking and good judgment. This book is a practical guide to mastering clear thinking, focusing on creating space for thinking, identifying enemies of clear thinking, and practical tools to solve problems. The author also highlights the importance of setting the right goals as the missing link between behavioral science and real-world results. This book draws heavily on the wisdom of others, and Parrish acknowledges his main contribution to be putting the mosaic of what he had learned from others who came before him out there for the world. ### Introduction: The Power of Clear Thinking in Ordinary Moments The document discusses the importance of clear thinking in ordinary moments, which can determine our future more than big decisions. While we often prioritize major choices such as getting married or choosing a career, our behavior in everyday situations plays a significant role in our success and happiness. Reacting with emotion, proving oneself right rather than prioritizing the best outcome, and bickering with a partner can all lead to negative consequences that seem small in the moment but accumulate over time. Our position in life is determined by our behavior in these ordinary moments and, in turn, determines our options for the future. To improve our position, we must focus on thinking clearly and positioning ourselves well. Those who are well-positioned have more options for success than those who are not, and time is their friend rather than their enemy. Every ordinary moment presents an opportunity to improve our position and make the future easier instead of harder. Clear thinking is the key to mastering our circumstances and achieving our goals. ### Part 1. The Enemies of Clear Thinking The main topic of the document is the importance of clear thinking and the dangers of allowing our biological instincts and default behaviors to control our actions. The document begins with a story about a CEO who loses his job because he refuses to listen to important information due to his ego. It then goes on to discuss how our default behaviors often make situations worse and hinder our ability to think clearly. These default behaviors include responding to emotions rather than reason, reacting to threats to our ego or position in a group hierarchy, conforming to social norms, and resisting change. The document emphasizes the need to be aware of these defaults and to pause and think before reacting in order to achieve better outcomes. It argues that mastering these defaults is key to succeeding and achieving long-term goals. Overall, the document emphasizes the importance of being conscious of our default behaviors and making a deliberate effort to think more clearly and rationally. ### Part 2. Building Strength The main topic of this document is building strength by counteracting the enemies of clear thinking and harnessing powerful biological forces. The document emphasizes the importance of self-accountability, self-knowledge, self-control, and self-confidence as key strengths that individuals need in order to overcome their defaults and exercise good judgment. It highlights the role of inertia as a force that can be used to unlock an individual's potential and discusses the importance of establishing rituals to create positive inertia. The document also explores the concept of self-accountability, emphasizing the need to take responsibility for one's abilities, inabilities, and actions. It stresses the importance of not making excuses and instead focusing on finding ways to improve one's position. It explains that external rewards are optional and that individuals should hold themselves accountable and expect more from themselves. The document provides examples and anecdotes to illustrate its points and concludes by emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and focusing on the next move that brings individuals closer to their goals, regardless of external circumstances. ### Part 3. Managing Weakness This document explores the concept of managing weaknesses in order to take command of one's life. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on what can be controlled and managing vulnerabilities or weaknesses that cannot be changed. The document discusses both inbuilt weaknesses, such as hunger, thirst, fatigue, emotion, distraction, and stress, as well as acquired weaknesses that are formed through habit. It explains that bad habits are easy to acquire when the consequences are delayed, and that making small errors consistently can lead to failure. The document proposes two ways of managing weaknesses, which are building strengths to overcome acquired weaknesses, and implementing safeguards to manage weaknesses that cannot be overcome. It also delves into the topic of blind spots and discusses how perspective and human nature make it difficult to see our own flaws. Lastly, the document shares a story about the USS Benfold to illustrate the importance of recognizing and overcoming blind spots. The second chapter provides strategies for protecting oneself with safeguards, such as prevention, creating rules, making checklists, shifting frames of reference, and making the invisible visible. Overall, the document provides insights into the importance of self-awareness and taking proactive measures to manage weaknesses. ### Part 4. Decisions: Clear Thinking in Action The main topic of this document is decision-making and the importance of defining the problem accurately in the decision-making process. The author emphasizes that decisions are different from choices and involve conscious thought. The document discusses the four stages of the decision-making process: defining the problem, exploring possible solutions, evaluating the options, and making a judgment. The author highlights the tendency for people to react without thinking or evaluating their options, which leads to poor decision-making. This is often due to default thinking patterns, such as relying on habits or emotions to make choices. The document also explores the consequences of solving the wrong problem and wasting time addressing symptoms instead of the root cause. To effectively define a problem, the author suggests taking responsibility for defining it and identifying the root cause. They provide examples of organizations and individuals wasting time by solving the wrong problems and offer a tool for identifying the root cause: asking what would have to be true for the problem not to exist in the first place. Finally, the document discusses how to safeguard the problem-defining stage by creating a firewall between problem definition and problem-solving and using time to one's advantage. ### Part 5. Wanting What Matters In "Part 5: Wanting What Matters" of his book "Ego is the Enemy," author Ryan Holiday explores the importance of knowing what is truly worth pursuing in life. He argues that effective decision-making involves not only knowing how to get what you want, but also knowing what is worth wanting. While some decisions may bring immediate results, they may not lead to long-term satisfaction and fulfillment in areas such as relationships and health. The chapter delves into how to avoid living by default or by someone else's scoreboard, which can lead to regret and unfulfilled lives. Holiday also examines the concept of the "hedonic treadmill," where gaining possessions or promotions may bring temporary happiness, but never lead to true fulfillment. Interviews with seniors show that prioritizing time with loved ones, expressing gratitude and savoring daily pleasures are far more important in the grand scheme of things. Ultimately, the key to a successful life is building character and experiencing wisdom, which involves knowing both how to make effective decisions and what things are truly worth pursuing. ### CONCLUSION: THE VALUE OF CLEAR THINKING The document is a conclusion to a book on the value of clear thinking and good judgment. The author argues that there are subconscious instincts that work against good judgment and cause people to live unconsciously rather than deliberately. Most errors in judgment happen because individuals are not aware that they should be using judgment, and this occurs because their subconscious controls their behaviors. The key to improving judgment is to identify how the world works and align oneself with it, rather than trying to blame others for outcomes. To improve judgment, individuals need to implement safeguards that make desired paths the path of least resistance and design systems to recognize when defaults are running the show. This requires more than willpower; it requires cultivating habits of mind, knowledge, discipline, and confidence. Gradually, small improvements will accumulate, and individuals will experience less stress and anxiety, and more joy. Good judgment cannot be taught, but it can be learned. The book focuses on the importance of managing defaults and designing systems that align with one's goals to cultivate good judgment. > 🔝 [[📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish#📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish]] *** ## Purpose - Why this book is helpful or inspiring ### ![[🌠Strategic Positioning in Life's Voyage - Steering with Emotional Intelligence for Smoother Sailing]] *** ### ![[🌠The Power of Pause - Shaping Better Outcomes by Controlling Impulse]] *** ### ![[🌠Mastering the Maze of Life - Navigating Emotional and Social Traps for a Clearer Path Forward]] *** ### ![[🌠The Puppeteer of Ego - Recognizing and Cutting the Strings of Self-Deception]] *** ### ![[🌠Beyond the Social Default - The Importance of Independent Thinking and Risk-Taking]] *** ### ![[🌠The Merry-Go-Round of Inertia - Why We Stick to the Familiar and Avoid Change]] *** ### ![[🌠Sailing with the Right Winds - How Your Social Circle Influences Your Habits]] *** ### ![[🌠Leveling Up in Life with Your Personal Board of Directors - How Special NPCs Guide Your Quest for Success]] *** ### ![[🌠Rehearsing for Life - The Importance of a Safe Practice Stage]] *** ### ![[🌠Automating Your Life's Journey - How Rules Keep You On Track Toward Your Goals]] *** ### ![[🌠Steering Your Energy - Strategies for Prioritizing, Creating Friction, and Setting Guardrails]] *** ### ![[🌠Locating the Leak Before Bailing the Water - The Importance of Identifying Root Causes]] *** ### ![[🌠Planting Seeds - Testing the Soil of Opportunity]] *** ### ![[🌠Mosaic of Understanding - Crafting a Fuller Picture from Fragmented Views]] *** ### ![[🌠Unearthing the Roots - Seeking Wisdom Beyond Answers]] *** ### ![[🌠Fountains and Facades - Distinguishing Depth from Display]] *** > 🔝 [[📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish#📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish]] *** ## Collections ### [real experts are excited about trying to share what they know](brain://api.thebrain.com/vCnuxgkn5UOHgxib_IdoWw/RGbX53dEC0aCHi7G6BjW6Q/RealExpertsAreExcitedAboutTryingToShareWhatTheyKnow) - Imitators get frustrated when you say you don’t understand. That frustration is a result of being overly concerned with the appearance of expertise—which they might not be able to maintain if they have to really get into the weeds with anSAFEGUARD: Take time to distinguish real experts from imitators. Not everyone who claims to be an expert is. Take the time to know the difference.explanation. Real experts have earned their expertise and are excited about trying to share what they know. They aren’t frustrated by your lack of understanding; they instead love your genuine curiosity about something they care about. [Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish](x-devonthink-item://01890F0B-DD89-4046-9F16-1A5682EB7F34?page=166&start=1433&length=238&search=Imitators%20get%20frustrated%20when%20you%20say%20you%20don%E2%80%99t%20understand.%20That%20frustration%20is%20a%20result%20of%20being%20overly%20concerned%20with%20the%20appearance%20of%20expertise%E2%80%94which%20they%20might%20not%20be%20able%20to%20maintain%20if%20they%20have%20to%20really%20get%20into%20the%20weeds%20with%20an) *** ### [ask them how they think](brain://api.thebrain.com/vCnuxgkn5UOHgxib_IdoWw/X2HljOf8IUeZ64SxYxlfvQ/AskThemHowTheyThink) - If you ask people what to do in a given situation, you might get the correct answer, but you haven’t learned anything. Say a local government task force needs to hire a software developer for a project, but they have no experience doing so and don’t know what to look for. Person A on the task force goes to a developer friend and asks, “Whom should I hire for this project?” Person B does the same but instead says, “I’m hiring a software developer, and I’d like to learn from your experiences. What skills matter and which ones can be learned on the job? Why? Where do I find the best people? How do I test these skills?” And so on.Person B might not have a recommendation within the first conversation, but I’d give it ten-to-one odds that they find a better candidate in the end. The reason: Person B is asking about the principles that guide decision-making in this domain, not details about the specific case. They’re asking others about their earned knowledge and making it their own.Our goal in decision-making is not just to gather information, but to gather information relevant to our decision. That requires more than building an inventory of data points; it requires understanding the why and how behind those data points—the principles that good decision- makers use in this area. [Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish](x-devonthink-item://01890F0B-DD89-4046-9F16-1A5682EB7F34?page=160&start=2&length=1296&search=If%20you%20ask%20people%20what%20to%20do%20in%20a%20given%20situation,%20you%20might%20get%20the%20correct%20answer,%20but%20you%20haven%E2%80%99t%20learned%20anything.%20Say%20a%20local%20government%20task%20force%20needs%20to%20hire%20a%20software%20developer%20for%20a%20project,%20but%20they%20have%20no%20experience%20doing%20so%20and%20don%E2%80%99t%20know%20w) *** ### [everyone has a limited perspective into the problem](brain://api.thebrain.com/vCnuxgkn5UOHgxib_IdoWw/5BwI3ETCukOBt1X7cxW8Sg/EveryoneHasALimitedPerspectiveIntoTheProblem) - Evaluating people’s motivations and incentives is especially important when you don’t have the ability to go and confirm something for yourself. If you absolutely must rely on someone else’s information and opinions, you have a responsibility to think about the lens through which they view the situation. Everyone has a limited perspective into the problem. Everyone has a blind spot. It’s your jobSAFEGUARD: Run an experiment. Try something out to see what kinds of results it yields.SAFEGUARD: Evaluate the motivations and incentives of your sources. Remember that everyone sees things from a limited perspective.as the decision-maker to weave their perspective together with others to get closer to reality.A lot of what people consider information or fact is actually just opinion, or a few facts mixed with many opinions. For example, if you’re looking to sell your house, everyone who’s involved will have a different idea of what you’ll make on the sale: the bank, your real estate agent, the buyer’s agent, your friends, the home inspector, the internet, and the government. Each of them sees only part of the situation. Each has different motivations and incentives that shape how they see the world. To get a clearer picture of the concrete reality, consider how each person stands to benefit from the information they give you, and weave those perspectives together.It helps to think of each person’s perspective as a lens onto the world. When you put their glasses on, you see what they see and have better insight into what they might be feeling. But those glasses have blind spots, often missing important information or confusing fact with opinion. By trying on all the glasses, you see what others miss. [Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish](x-devonthink-item://01890F0B-DD89-4046-9F16-1A5682EB7F34?page=158&start=1098&length=399&search=Evaluating%20people%E2%80%99s%20motivations%20and%20incentives%20is%20especially%20important%20when%20you%20don%E2%80%99t%20have%20the%20ability%20to%20go%20and%20confirm%20something%20for%20yourself.%20If%20you%20absolutely%20must%20rely%20on%20someone%20else%E2%80%99s%20information%20and%20opinions,%20you%20have%20a%20responsibility%20to%20think%20abou) *** ### [experiment is a low-risk way of gathering important information](brain://api.thebrain.com/vCnuxgkn5UOHgxib_IdoWw/_CvrQQSz1kuT-uUv8cp8hg/ExperimentIsALowriskWayOfGatheringImportantInformation) - An experiment is a low-risk way of gathering important information. For example, if you want to know whether people will pay for something, try to sell it before you even create it. That’s what my friends at Tuft & Needle did. They were one of the first companies to ship foam mattresses directly to consumers’ homes. They shared an incredible story with me over coffee one day, about their early days. In order to validate their idea, they set up a landing page, bought some Facebook ads, and started taking orders. They didn’t even have a product or a company yet; they just wanted to see if people would buy foam mattresses from them. After a few days of receiving orders, they had all the proof they needed that people would buy their product. They refunded all the orders and officially started their company. While this example may be a bit unorthodox, there are many ways in which experimenting can help determine whether there’s sufficient demand for a product or service. [Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish](x-devonthink-item://01890F0B-DD89-4046-9F16-1A5682EB7F34?page=158&start=117&length=980&search=An%20experiment%20is%20a%20low-risk%20way%20of%20gathering%20important%20information.%20For%20example,%20if%20you%20want%20to%20know%20whether%20people%20will%20pay%20for%20something,%20try%20to%20sell%20it%20before%20you%20even%20create%20it.%20That%E2%80%99s%20what%20my%20friends%20at%20Tuft%20%26%20Needle%20did.%20They%20were%20one%20of%20the%20first%20co) *** > 🔝 [[📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish#📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish]] *** ## Others - [[🗿Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish]] > 🔝 [[📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish#📚Clear Thinking - Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish]] ***