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The 80/20 of better thinking
How elite thinkers filter distractions and make smarter moves
Mario Peshev
August 10, 2025
Welcome to The Smarter Brain, a curation of thought-provoking ideas and actionable reads to help you build better habits and become more productive.
Happy reading - See you on Wednesday!
Cheers,
The Smarter Brain Team
Estimated Reading Time: 2 mins
3 Ideas for Better Habits
Built to Thrive
Entrepreneur and thinker, Gabriel Weinberg, on mental clarity and decision-making.
“Another mental model to help improve your thinking is called antifragile.”
Intelligence in Connection
Cognitive scientist Steven Sloman on the power and limits of shared knowledge.
“"Our intelligence resides not in individual brains but in the collective mind. To function, individuals rely not only on knowledge stored within our skulls but also on knowledge stored elsewhere: in our bodies, in the environment, and especially in other people.”
Emotions Drive Decisions
Author and thinker, Rolf Dobelli, on clear thinking in a noisy world.
“Whether we like it or not, we are puppets of our emotions. We make complex decisions by consulting our feelings, not our thoughts. Against our best intentions, we substitute the question, “What do I think about this?” with “How do I feel about this?” So, smile! Your future depends on it.”
Source: The Art of Thinking Clearly
Remember for Life
Anki helps you learn faster and retain knowledge longer by turning flashcards into a science-backed memory system. Whether you're learning a language, studying for exams, or building mental models, Anki makes remembering effortless and efficient.
Productivity Tools and Resources
Inside the Minds of Elite Thinkers: 5 Mental Models That Change the Game
This article breaks down five core mental models used by world-class performers such as Tim Ferriss, Jocko Willink, and Paulo Coelho. From the ”Ladder of Inference” to “Opportunity Cost” these models will challenge your assumptions and upgrade how you think, decide, and lead - especially when under pressure.
How High Performers Filter Distractions and Win Big Decisions
This guide offers a modern take on decision-making frameworks, exploring mental models like the Eisenhower Matrix, Hanlon’s Razor, and the 80/20 Rule. Discover how top performers filter distractions, avoid bias, and make smarter choices in high-stakes environments.
Decide with Clarity
Decision.io helps you with streamlining evaluation processes by combining collaborative workflows, transparent criteria, and clear analytics - perfect for grants, investments, hiring, and high-stakes choices. Turn complex decisions into consistent outcomes.
What We're Reading
Nat Eliason Newsletter - Explore ideas at the intersection of curiosity, growth, and digital freedom. Each issue dives into topics like writing, entrepreneurship, health, and mental clarity - offering thoughtful essays, experiments, and tools to help you think independently, live intentionally, and build a life driven by exploration rather than obligation.
Marginal Revolution Newsletter - Dive into economics, politics, and culture with sharp analysis and provocative ideas. Each issue blends rigorous research with clear insights to help you understand complex systems, question assumptions, and think critically about the world’s most pressing issues.
Brain Food
Today I Learned: Human fingers don’t actually contain muscles; movement is controlled by tendons connected to muscles in the forearm. (Source)
Science: The color you see in soap bubbles and oil slicks is caused by light interference, not pigments. (Source)
Have a productive rest of your week,
The Smarter Brain Team
Resource Spotlight
Mental Models, Better Thinking, Smarter Decisions
Monthly dispatches draw from the best of cognitive science, systems thinking, and timeless philosophy - offering practical mental models to help leaders, builders, and thinkers make clearer choices, avoid common pitfalls, and navigate complexity with confidence.
Mental Models, Tactical Edges, No-Nonsense Growth
In this punchy, practical read, Wes Kao breaks down how high performers refine their thinking - not by downloading more theory, but by stress-testing their beliefs, examining feedback loops, and applying models in real-time.
Mental Models, Fast Decisions, Clear Tradeoffs
his issue of Peak Performance Playbook delivers five high-utility mental models that cut through analysis paralysis and help you make smarter choices under pressure. From First Principles to the 80/20 Rule, each model is broken down with zero fluff - just practical thinking tools for builders, strategists, and creatives who want to decide with speed and clarity.
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