Over two thousand years ago, Aristotle defined a first principle as “the first basis from which a thing is known.”
First principles thinking is a fancy way of saying “think like a scientist.” Scientists don’t assume anything. They start with questions like, “what are we absolutely sure is true? What has been proven?”
When Elon Musk first started thinking about space travel in 2002, he discovered the purchase price of a rocket with $65 million. The high price made him start to rethink the problem using first principles. He researched what metals were used in rockets and the cost of that metal on the open market and figured out the materials he needed would only be around 2% of the typical price. Musk also used first principles to revolutionize the auto industry with Tesla.
What’s this got to do with you and I? I think we can use first principles thinking to make our lives better.
First and foremost, let’s start with a big question “What do you want your life to look like?” Then look at where you are relative to that, and work to close the gap. To close the gap, you’ll need to address all the head trash that’s in your way, you’ll need to gain new knowledge and identify the resources you’ll need. Then you’ll utilize first principle thinking to get you there.
There are so many systems all around us that we don’t think about very often:
Think about how the education system and our work systems have changed due to COVID. Many of us are rethinking them out of necessity. There’s also been talk about defunding police departments and making changes to the electoral college. While I’m not advocating for a position, this is a unique opportunity to employ first principle thinking.
When thinking about the systems you’re operating in, recognize the impact and influence they have on you. Do you vote a certain way because it’s what’s always been done? Do you have certain hobbies because those are what you do? Are you in a profession because that’s what’s expected of you? Do you invest in real estate because that’s what your family does?
Most of us have no problem thinking about what we want to achieve in life. The problem is that we let others tell us what’s possible, not only when it comes to our dreams but also when it comes to how we go after them. The systems we’re operating in have the same effect. The thoughts of others imprison us if we’re not thinking for ourselves.
Reasoning from first principles allows us to step outside of history and conventional wisdom and see what is possible-just like Elon Musk.
So what I’m asking you to do is this; to view each important aspect of your life like a building block.
And then take that big step back to think about what you truly want your life to look like. Once you know what you want your life to look like, go back to each of your building blocks and apply first principle thinking to them. Question why they are the way they are, and think about what could be different.
You can’t tear everything down and build it back up tomorrow. But you can start moving in the direction of the life you truly want and first principle thinking can help you get there.
Work with a coach to unlock personal and professional potential.
We’re here to help others get better so they can live freely without regret Believing we’ve each got one life, it’s better to live it well and the time to start is now If you’re someone who believes change begins with you, you’re one of us We’re working to inspire action, enable completion, knowing that, as Thoreau so perfectly put it “There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” Let us help you invest in yourself and bring it all together.
Feed your life-long learner by enrolling in one of our courses.
Invest in yourself and bring it all together by working with one of our coaches.
