First Principles Thinking Method: What is it, and how does it Help you Find Creative Solutions?

Physicist Albert Einstein once said, “If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.”

Traveling from Portland to Seattle takes about three hours by car, four and a half hours by train, and on a plane, it takes no more than 45 minutes, but how long did it take to travel from Portland to Seattle in 1899? It required at least a day, and you would ride your horse, which you should have given plenty of feed for the journey.

Of course, there were cars back then, but they were expensive and neither robust nor practical. After the first Ford Model T was manufactured in 1908, travel became considerably smoother. However, cars remained extremely expensive until Henry Ford invented the assembly line, which made it possible to produce cars at a reasonable price and with good quality.

Ford pondered, "How much does a car cost if you break it down into its simplest components and find a better way to assemble them?" In contrast, others were content that only the wealthy could ride in cars because it was impractical technology. The reality of personal mobility has forever changed due to the answer to this question. We can now see how practical and simple it is to purchase a car.

However, in his quest for an answer, Ford turned to the critical inquiry type known as the first principles of thinking. Ford is not alone in using this thinking method; in fact, nearly all great inventors throughout history have used it to solve seemingly insurmountable problems. You can also use this method of thinking to improve your creativity and problem-solving skills.

How does the first thinking principles method make you more creative?

Like most people, you undoubtedly turn to the Internet first when faced with a task you don’t know how to complete. This approach occasionally works and occasionally doesn't; you can read some instructive articles or watch some videos on YouTube.

It's true that occasionally, if you searched the Internet and couldn't find what you were looking for, you may have thought, "Applying what you saw or read requires a lot of work." or "This isn't the solution I want,"

You became frustrated because you used analogous thinking, which involves copying an action after seeing it done once and stopping when you don't like the result.

Although it's a helpful shortcut, thinking in analogies doesn't help you understand what you're doing. All you are doing is watching what someone else did and copying it, naturally, with all its flaws, issues, and quick fixes that go along with that person's advantageous method. However, it results in an excessively costly, challenging, and time-consuming task with other unsatisfactory outcomes.

However, when you use the method of thinking from first principles, you investigate independently rather than obtaining ready knowledge from others. That is until you encounter the "first principle," you question everything you believe to be true. After a few investigations, you arrive at this principle; it becomes an indisputable fact that doesn't need any more justification.

By repeatedly using this method of thinking, you can identify the fundamental elements of the issue at hand without making any mistakes brought on by biases or quick fixes.

As Henry Ford did when he invented the assembly line to turn automobiles into a practical mode of transportation, you can find genuine solutions when you grasp the issue core.

Practical ways to use the first principles thinking method in your daily life

You have to start from the very beginning when trying to solve a complex problem or make an improvement. You won't get the same results from shortcuts, so here are some helpful strategies for applying the first principles of thinking that will increase your influence and intelligence:

• If you are launching a business, you will need fundamentals to produce goods or render services that are superior to those of competitors.
• If you have a busy day, the first principles of thinking will help you get everything in the least amount of time and effort possible.
• Instead of battling to try to implement diets or exercise that you don't enjoy, this kind of thinking will help you create a more appropriate routine to improve your health.

The first principles of thinking strategy can help you solve any problem, no matter how complex, because they prevent misunderstandings and provide better results. It's a given that once you grasp the principles, you can move forward and solve problems more effectively.

However, applying this thought process is simple; you must challenge the axioms. Putting it another way, you smoothly ask yourself, "Is what I think true?" whenever you believe you are aware of something. If you find that your knowledge is based on mere assumption, you should continue to ask questions until you reach proven knowledge, and from this point, you can start to find a solution to the problem.

Follow the first principles of thinking now

Take a moment to slow down and reflect on a problem you have previously struggled to solve. List all the reasons you believe the problem is complex, then verify each reason. Continue asking questions until you have unquestionable knowledge, and then use this knowledge as a foundation to begin solving the problem.

Even though you might not be able to solve the problem right away, if you keep going back to this method, you will come up with much better solutions more quickly than you initially anticipated. After engaging in an enjoyable thought process, you might become addicted to this way of thinking. No matter how easy the issue is, you will not take pre-made solutions. On the contrary, you will favor the most challenging yet efficient solutions.