How To Make Life Predictable In A Good Way

Your brain is terrible at solving problems the usual way. It loves drama, distractions, and doing what everyone else does. And for those “looking for answers”, you might at least want to find the right answers. :)

We hate to admit that this tacky WhatsApp forward from the family group has been right all along. 👇🏻

So, here are some proven ways to find the answer within you: 

1. Invert, Always Invert.

The fastest way to solve a problem is to flip it and ask the opposite question.

• Instead of asking, “How do I succeed in investing?”, 
• Ask, “What do most people do that makes them fail?” 

Whatever is left, whatever mistakes you avoid, is success. This isn’t just about investing. Career, relationships, personal habits, and even daily routines become clearer when you first identify what to avoid. 

Inversion forces you to focus on pitfalls instead of chasing endless, vague “success hacks.”

2. First Principles Thinking

Strip problems down to their core elements. Don’t rely on assumptions or what “everyone else does.” Ask: “What are the fundamental truths of this situation?” 
Elon Musk uses this all the time. When designing rockets at SpaceX, he didn’t accept the high cost of materials as fixed. Instead, he asked: “What is a rocket made of, at its most basic level?” 

By reasoning up from the fundamentals, he found ways to cut costs dramatically, something conventional thinking never revealed. Overwhelming problems suddenly break into simple, actionable steps.

3. Second-Order Thinking

Most people stop at the first consequence. Second-order thinking asks: “And then what?” 

Every action triggers ripple effects. 

• Buying the latest hot stock may feel smart now, but what happens when it crashes or becomes overvalued? 
• Deciding to leave a job might solve stress today, but what are the consequences for your career or finances a year later? 

Thinking two steps ahead reveals blind spots and identifies paths that first-order thinking overlooks.

4. Occam’s Razor

The simplest solution is often the best. Complexity can feel impressive, but unnecessary complications usually hide risks and slow you down. 

If a task, decision, or solution can be simplified without losing effectiveness, do it. Simplicity creates clarity, reduces friction, and lets you focus on what actually matters. Sometimes, cutting 80% of the steps is the only “trick” you need to reach the goal.

5. Regret Minimisation

Make choices with your future self in mind. Ask: “When I’m 80, will I regret not doing this?” 

This perspective forces you to see past short-term fear, doubt, or distractions. Whether it’s a career move, an investment, or a personal decision, framing choices through long-term regret gives you a surprisingly simple guide: do what truly matters, skip what doesn’t, and act with clarity.

The truth is…

Life isn’t complicated. It’s just full of tiny traps we walk into every day. Flip the questions, strip things down, think two steps ahead, keep it simple, and imagine your 80-year-old self shaking their head at your current panic. 

And then, you might find the right answers (within yourself). ;)