When I’m facing a new problem I like to spend a lot of energy thinking from first principles^[1][2] on how to solve the problem. Then I try to create an objective feedback loop to the best of my ability. This allows me to reality check my theories and see where my intuition led me astray.

I used to spend years in this phase. Now I go out and find the “state of the art” or “best practice” books and articles once I feel I can tell apart what’s good from what’s bad. I see it as a way to download someone’s lifetime of experience into my consideration set. (I also have no problem quitting reading after 1-2 chapters if the book turns out to not be relevant though…)

If I can validate what’s in the book in 1-4 weeks of real world usage then I keep it around. If not, I try to forget what I read. Here are some of the materials that in combination with first principles thinking formulate my mental models.

Product Fundamentals

• The Lean Product Playbook
• Inspired

Discovery

• Continuous Discovery Habits (Summary)
• Design Sprint
• The Lean Startup
• The Startup Owner’s Manual
• Value Proposition Design

Strategy

• Good Strategy, Bad Strategy (Summary)
• Crossing The Chasm
• Business Model Canvas
• Zero To One
• The Science of Growth

Culture

• Product vs. Feature Teams (Follow-on FAQ)
• Product Triad
• Empowered
• Crucial Conversations
• Nonviolent Communication

Change Management

• Tribal Leadership
• Immunity to Change
• Getting To Yes
• High Output Management
• The Hard Thing About Hard Things

Psychology

• The Principles of Cognitive Function Theory
• Fogg Behavior Model
• Motivation Waves