🧠Learn Second-Order Thinking for Better Decisions
Stop making decisions that feel smart on Monday and wreck your Friday. You'll run real choices through a three-level 'and then what?' worksheet and leave with a decision journal template you'll actually open before the next big call.
Phase 1The Obvious Answer Is Usually the Expensive One
See why the obvious answer is usually the expensive one
The first answer is rarely the right one
6 minThe first answer is rarely the right one
First-order thinking is cheap to do and expensive to live with
6 minFirst-order thinking is cheap to do and expensive to live with
Every decision lives inside a chain you didn't write
7 minEvery decision lives inside a chain you didn't write
Not every decision deserves a worksheet
6 minNot every decision deserves a worksheet
Phase 2Running 'And Then What?' Three Levels Deep
Run 'and then what?' three levels deep daily
A one-page worksheet is the whole technique
6 minA one-page worksheet is the whole technique
Name the person, the day, the dollar
6 minName the person, the day, the dollar
Level 2 is usually a person's reaction
6 minLevel 2 is usually a person's reaction
Level 3 is the new state you have to live in
7 minLevel 3 is the new state you have to live in
Tie the worksheet to a trigger you already have
6 minTie the worksheet to a trigger you already have
Phase 3Pairing Second-Order with Inversion and Pre-Mortems
Link to opportunity cost, inversion, and pre-mortems
The best yes hides behind the easy yes
7 minThe best yes hides behind the easy yes
Ask what would make this go wrong
7 minAsk what would make this go wrong
Write the post-mortem before the thing starts
7 minWrite the post-mortem before the thing starts
Second-order, inversion, pre-mortem — three lenses on one chain
8 minSecond-order, inversion, pre-mortem — three lenses on one chain
Phase 4Your Personal Decision Journal Template
Build a personal decision journal template you'll use
Build the decision journal you'll actually open
15 minBuild the decision journal you'll actually open
Frequently asked questions
- What is second-order thinking in plain English?
- This is covered in the “Learn Second-Order Thinking for Better Decisions” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How is second-order thinking different from first-order thinking?
- This is covered in the “Learn Second-Order Thinking for Better Decisions” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- What did Howard Marks mean by second-level thinking?
- This is covered in the “Learn Second-Order Thinking for Better Decisions” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How do I actually apply 'and then what?' to a real decision?
- This is covered in the “Learn Second-Order Thinking for Better Decisions” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- What should go in a decision journal?
- This is covered in the “Learn Second-Order Thinking for Better Decisions” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
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