A first principle is a fundamental proposition or assumption that can stand on its own. First principles cannot be deduced from any other proposition or assumption. According to Aristotle, first principles are "the first basis from which a thing is known." The impurity of assumptions and conventions is removed by reasoning from first principles. What remains are the essentials. It's one of the best mental models for improving your thinking because the essentials show you where reasoning by analogy can lead you astray.
Hence, the foundation of our Inner Game Strategy will be built firmly upon the First Principle of “The Universal Success Formula”, which is adapted from Ray Dalio's excellent book, Principles. The formula states there are seven steps to get anything you want:
a) Have a clear objective
b) Identify problems
c) Diagnose problems
d) Design a plan
e) Put your plan into action
f) Learn from your actions
g) Change your behavior
a) Have a clear objective
To achieve your goals you have to prioritize, and that includes rejecting good alternatives, so that you have the time and resources to pursue the better ones.
Never rule out a goal because you think it’s unattainable. Be audacious! Think big!
There’s a story often told about the job attitudes of three bricklayers. It’s a classic, so let’s go over it again. When asked, “What are you doing?” the first bricklayer replied, “Laying brick.” The second answered, “Making $9.30 an hour.” And the third said, “Me? Why, I’m building the world’s greatest cathedral.”
Now, the story doesn’t tell us what happened to these bricklayers in later years, but what do you think happened? Chances are that the first two bricklayers remained just that: bricklayers. They lacked vision. They lacked job respect. There was nothing behind them to propel them forward to greater success.
But you can bet every cents you have. The bricklayer who imagined himself constructing a magnificent cathedral did not remain a bricklayer. Perhaps he went on to become a foreman, a contractor, or an architect. He advanced and ascended. Why? Because thinking has an impact.
Remember that great expectations create great capabilities. If you limit your goals to what you know you can achieve, you are setting the bar way too low.
b) Identify problems
The majority of issues are potential improvements screaming at you. Every time a problem arises, you have the opportunity to improve. The more painful the issue, the louder it screams. You won't be able to achieve your goals if you don't identify your problems and solve them. As a result, it is critical to bring issues to light.
Be specific in your problem identification. Because different problems require different solutions, you must be precise. If a problem is caused by a lack of skill, additional training may be required; if it is caused by an innate weakness, you may need to seek assistance from someone else or change your role.
Furthermore, once you've identified your issues, you must not tolerate them. Tolerating problems has the same effect as failing to identify them. Whether you tolerate it because you believe it cannot be solved, because you don't care enough to solve it, or because you lack the resources to do so. To be successful, you must cultivate a fierce intolerance of all forms of badness, regardless of severity.
c) Diagnose problems
Rather than jumping to solutions, concentrate on diagnosis and design. It is a common mistake for people to jump from identifying a difficult problem to proposing a solution in a nanosecond instead of spending the hours required to properly diagnose and design a solution. This usually results in poor decisions that do nothing to solve the problem. Strategic thinking is sparked by diagnosis and design.
You must distinguish between proximate and root causes. Root causes, like principles, are things that manifest themselves repeatedly as the underlying reasons for the actions that cause problems. You can only truly solve your problems by addressing their underlying causes, and in order to do so, you must distinguish between the symptoms and the disease.
d) Design a plan
Practice higher-level thinking by looking down at your machine and imagining how it could be altered to produce better results. Remember that there are usually multiple paths to achieving your objectives. All you have to do is find one that works. Create a rough plan first, then fine-tune it. You should start with the big picture and work your way down to specific tasks and estimated time lines.
It is critical that you create the plan first. Too many people make the mistake of devoting almost no time to design because they are preoccupied with implementation.
e) Put your plan into actions
The preceding steps are necessary, but they are ineffective on their own. It is critical to know what you need to do each day and to have the discipline to do it. You must be self-disciplined and proactive rather than reactive to the onslaught of daily tasks that can divert your attention away from execution. Be results-oriented: push yourself to the finish line to meet your objective. If you notice that daily tasks are keeping you from carrying out the plan (i.e., you identify the problem), you diagnose it and devise a strategy for dealing with both daily tasks and moving forward with the plan. Whatever happens, make your plans a reality!
f) Learn from your actions
Develop the sensory acuity to recognize the types of responses and outcomes you are getting from your actions and to notice as soon as possible whether they are moving you closer or further away from your goals.
People frequently struggle to recognize and accept their own errors. Sometimes it's because they're blind to them, but more often than not, it's because ego and shortsightedness make recognizing their flaws painful. The majority of people give up at this point. What distinguishes people who live up to their potential from those who do not is a willingness to look at themselves and others objectively.
Pain + Reflection = Progress
We all try to avoid pain, both instinctively and consciously. However, if you want to achieve great things in life, you must alter your relationship with pain. Even if you wish it weren't so, this is a reality that you must accept and deal with. There is no getting around the fact that achieving success necessitates addressing the root causes of all major issues, and human errors and weaknesses are sometimes the root causes. To be successful, you must be willing to examine your own behavior as well as the behavior of others as potential sources of problems.
g) Change your behavior
Change your behavior until you achieve your goals. Continue to adapt, adjust, and change your behavior until you find what works. If the plan does not produce the desired results, repeat the previous steps, i.e., update your goals, identify and diagnose new problems that arise, design a new plan, and put that plan into action once more. Repeat this process until you have reached your desired goal.
In short, this basic seven steps formula is
This is the first principle that will enable you to win at any game. Internalize this as the basis for your inner game.