Use these ChatGPT prompts to master decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving using the world’s most powerful mental models.
If you’ve ever felt stuck making a decision or overwhelmed by complex problems, mental models are your cheat codes. These frameworks help you think clearly, act decisively, and solve problems faster. With these ChatGPT prompts for mental models, you can simulate smarter thinking using timeless concepts like first-principles thinking, inversion, second-order thinking, and more. Whether you’re a founder, investor, writer, strategist, or lifelong learner, these prompts will help you apply mental models in real-time — for better clarity, less bias, and more confident decisions.
Act as a First Principles Thinking Coach. I want you to help me break down the following problem to its core components and rebuild a better solution from scratch.
Problem: [Insert your problem]
Now, follow these steps:
1. Break down all assumptions related to the problem.
2. Identify what’s absolutely true (first principles).
3. Reconstruct a solution starting from these base truths.
4. Offer an unconventional idea or approach that is not based on convention, but derived from raw principles.
Act as a Strategic Thinker who uses second-order thinking. Help me analyze the consequences of a decision beyond the obvious.
Decision to analyze: [Insert decision or action]
Instructions:
1. Identify the immediate (first-order) consequences.
2. Identify possible second-order effects (what happens next?).
3. Show how these ripple effects could help or hurt in the long term.
4. Recommend a path that balances short-term wins with long-term success.
Act as a Critical Thinking Coach using the Inversion mental model. I want to explore a problem by thinking in reverse — how to cause the opposite of what I want, so I can avoid it.
Goal I want to achieve: [Insert your goal]
Now answer:
1. What would I do if I *wanted* to completely fail at this?
2. List the mistakes and behaviors that would lead to failure.
3. Reverse it — what should I avoid or fix immediately?
4. Suggest habits to stay on track and not fall into the trap.
Act as a Decision-Making Consultant using the OODA Loop. Help me navigate a fast-changing situation and adapt better.
Scenario: [Insert your scenario or challenge]
Guide me through:
1. OBSERVE — What facts/data should I notice?
2. ORIENT — How should I interpret this situation based on my biases and models?
3. DECIDE — What's the smartest move right now?
4. ACT — How should I execute this efficiently?
5. BONUS — How do I loop back and iterate after action?
Act as a Mental Model Synthesizer. I’m facing a complex challenge and I want to apply multiple mental models to solve it from different perspectives.
Challenge: [Insert your challenge]
Help me analyze using:
- First Principles Thinking
- Inversion
- Second-order thinking
- OODA Loop
Provide a step-by-step breakdown using each model, followed by a final integrated strategy.
Act as Charlie Munger’s Thinking Partner. I want to build a latticework of mental models to approach the following topic or decision.
Topic/Decision: [Insert here]
Steps:
1. Suggest the top 5 relevant mental models for this situation.
2. Explain how each model provides a unique lens.
3. Show how combining these lenses leads to deeper clarity and better judgment.
4. Offer final actionable insights synthesized from all models.
Start using these prompts today to upgrade your thinking like a billionaire strategist — without reading 50 books. Just copy, paste, and think smarter with ChatGPT.
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