Why I Hate Frameworks

For f*ck's sake, stop obsessing over frameworks and mental models.

Here's a simple mental model I follow for new projects:

It'll JGS.

The Just Get Started principle.

I learned it on the job.

Here's an example of how it works:

- Last year I wanted to run more. I had not run in years. Running 3-5 miles felt like a struggle.

- I broke it down. Started small, and followed the simple "Just Get Started" principle. I didn't research running programs or spend hours browsing forums online. I didn't hire a coach. I just decided to start running... And my goal on the first day was to run 1 mile.

- Then do it again the next day. And the next day.

- I ran 7 miles the first week; 1 mile every day.

- In one week I compounded more running - 7 miles - than I had run the in last two years.

- I kept running 1 mile until it was easy.

- Then came 2 miles. And in December I ran 2 miles on 28/31 days of the month. 56 miles in a month.

- After 30 days I had put in more miles in one month than years combined by starting small, doing what I could do and running 2 miles a day.

By then I also built the habit - I wanted to run every day. I looked forward to it. It became part of my routine, my daily discipline.

By January I bumped it up to 3 miles. Then 4. 5. 6. By March I was ripping off 10 mile runs and loving the process. Now I love running and I've gotten much better at it.

Look I know frameworks and mental models sell better and perform better online. We like to get templated advice because we think there's a straight forward answer.

But for f*ck's sake - in so many cases the best way to get better at something is to start doing it. 

- Less frameworks

- Fewer principles

- Skip the mental models

They can be crutches.

- If you want to get better at running? Start running

- Want to get better at copywriting? Start writing

- Want to start a YouTube channel? Start making videos

Don't get so caught up in these frameworks that you forget the best way to learn: by doing.