003 - Second order thinking, Starting over and Loneliness

Hello my friends, welcome to the ‘Third Creator Letter’

Dishing out fresh insights that’ll make you a clearer thinker. We’re all figuring it out and we’ll keep growing together.

Every week I share:

• 1 mental model (with an example of it’s application)

• 2 Quotes

• 1 deep dive

You ready?

Let’s go!

1 Mental Model:

Second order thinking

It’s easy to predict the immediate effects of your actions, almost everyone can do this. This is called first order thinking—looking for a solution that only solves the immediate problem without thinking of future consequences.

This kind of thinking leads to linear thinking and potentially creating long term problems from short term solutions.

When we fail to examine the long term consequences of our decisions we end up unintentionally creating problems from solutions.

The best way to examine long term consequences is through second order thinking.

Second order thinking is simply considering the impact of an initial decision over time—considering the effects of the effects.

To employ second order thinking, whenever you’re about to make a decision always ask yourself:

“And then what?”

2 Quotes

1 Deep Dive

Loneliness

The fear of loneliness is a major reason people do not find fulfillment or achieve extraordinary results.

When you’re scared of being the black sheep, the different one, you can’t think for yourself or pursue goals that are authentically you.

This is why there’s so much mediocrity and linear thinking.

The desire to fit in is majorly rooted in a fear of loneliness—which is born from an incorrect perception of what loneliness is.

As long as you fear being judged in pursuit of what is authentically you, you’ll continue feeling unfulfilled.

The journey to self actualization is a lonely one.

Some of the greatest minds used their periods of loneliness to craft their greatest works. Loneliness isn’t something to be feared rather it should be utilized when it comes.

In “The Lonely City: Adventures in the Art of Being Alone” Oliver Liang tells stories of a number of artists who in their isolation created some of the best pieces of art.

Loneliness can be channeled for creativity but if you’re scared of the possibility of being the only one to pursue an interest, then you’ll remain average and unfulfilled.

So we know loneliness can be channeled for creativity, the question is how?

Loneliness has more to do with your perception than the people you have around you—so no, I’m not about to ask you to live in a cave and avoid all contact with humanity (although I might try that out sometime) but you need to rid yourself of the influences of others on your thinking.

1. Start by reading books on topics that are basically a taboo for people around you. Books that contradict things you’ve been told since you were born. Listen to all the opposing views and take notes. You might discover ideas for yourself that you would’ve naturally missed.

2. Social media has made it possible for there to be a community for virtually any interests you have. search for such communities or individuals on social media and connect with them.

Ask them questions and learn more about your interests from them, consume their content, read the materials they suggest—you can ask them to recommend some books to you.

When you have someone else that understands and can relate to you, you’ll find it easier to stop caring about what the people in your immediate environment think.

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Thank you for reading today’s issue.

If you enjoyed it, I would appreciate it if you could share with your friends and family.

Till next time..

Have a kickass week my friends

-Frank.