I Didn't Realize I Was a First Principles Thinker Until…
For the better part of 6 years, first principles thinking was a mystery to me. Of course I wanted to become a first principles thinker, but didn't understand how to become one.
Then everything changed. Today, I realized that I had a first principles thought.
As a result, I am writing this post to share how I would learn to become a first principles thinker if I were starting again.
Why first principles thinking?
In recent years, thought leaders in the engineering and business worlds attribute their success to first principles thinking. As a result, personal development gurus echo this as advice, while simultaneously making it clear that they are only reciting platitudes rather than understanding the concept themselves.
Admittedly, first principles thinking was not a trait I intentionally taught myself. I stumbled upon the realization that I was doing it.
But the results of first principles thinking are undeniable—often making the seemingly impossible possible.
What is first principles thinking?
First principles thinking is a problem solving technique where a larger problem is broken down into its fundamental parts (its first principles).
First principles thinkers instinctively approach problems in this way, questioning all assumptions and stopping only at the laws of physics.
How to become a first principles thinker
Step 1: optimistic thinking
As Thomas Friedman once wrote:
Pessimists are usually right and optimists are usually wrong but all the great changes have been accomplished by optimists.
When is the last time you came across a problem and stopped at, "I don't think this is possible" or "this would be really hard to do right now"?
And you're probably right! the thing is probably virtually impossible or may be hard to do now.
But this pessimistic thinking has stopped you from solving this problem before first principles thinking can even be applied.
The optimist acknowledges the difficulty of the problem, but chooses a different definition for what's possible.
They believe: only the laws of physics can determine if something is impossible.
Step 2: find the essence
Imagine the following scenario: your marriage has become dull. Your partner seems to get upset with you for the simplest, trivial things.
Maybe this particular episode is happened because your partner took the trash out instead of you tonight.
How could you apply first principles thinking?
First, it would be appropriate to notice that something as silly as who should take the trash to the dumpster? is a symptom of some other problem—not the essence of this one.
You start to think through it and realize you and your partner are both exhausted tonight. They cooked dinner after working from home while you were commuting almost an hour each way.
You've found the essence of the problem!
From here the solution to reignite your relationship is not I'll take the trash out in the future but we'll work on changing our lifestyle so we aren't both tired and irritable by the end of the evening.
From here you're far more likely to implement a lasting solution that addresses the fundamental problems in your relationship.
I believe the technique really is this simple. Now you have the mindset the become a first principles thinker.
- Solve problems as an optimist
- Find and address the essence of problems
The key to having your aha! moment is to go out and solve a lot of problems.
If your work is by nature technical, this should be straightforward as it is what you are paid to do. If your typical work is something else, your life away from work will present many opportunities to apply first principles thinking.
If you find yourself wondering if you are a first principles thinker, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I seek to understand root causes or do I stop at symptoms?
- Do I even consider the option that the problem is impossible?
- Can I find fundamental similarities in related but different things?