Mental models are a way of explaining how things work. Throughout our lives, we build up a personal collection of mental models to understand the world around us.
Mental models aren't perfect but developing a rich toolbox of them can be useful in navigating the complexities of life. Learning to intuitively apply the right models in the right situations is something we develop with practice.
This website is a curated collection of models with broad applicability in everyday life. There’s a focus on brief descriptions and simple, real life examples of the models in use.
Weekly Mental Model
Goldilocks Rule
Optimal motivation occurs when tasks are neither too hard nor too easy.Description
The Goldilocks Rule states that maximum engagement and motivation are achieved when tasks are at the right level of difficulty - not too easy to be boring, but not too hard to be frustrating. This concept is rooted in the psychological theory of flow, where a person is fully immersed and focused on an activity. The Goldilocks Rule is valuable in personal development, education, and workplace productivity, as it helps in designing tasks and challenges that keep individuals optimally engaged and motivated, leading to better learning, performance, and satisfaction.
Examples
In education, tailoring lesson difficulty to match a student's skill level increases engagement and learning effectiveness.
In the workplace, assigning projects that are challenging but achievable boosts employee motivation and job satisfaction.