5 Mental Models to Think Like a Strategic Genius

How to Unf*ck Your Life: • Stop Playing Life On H...
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0:00 - How to become a more strategic thinker
1:38 - Control the Center
4:50 - The True Value of a Piece
7:04 - Position Over Submission
10:00 - The Initiative
13:10 - The Hardest Move to Find
16:04 - How to go even deeper

[@AnthonyVicino]

Did you know I release a daily podcast with more tips, tricks, and frameworks designed to help YOU the entrepreneur maximize your return on life? Check it out here: www.youtube.com/@amplifiedimpact

[@abdulaziz5683]

you should make more content like this

[@joeking6972]

I have my own checklist of mental models that I use and I've found that each of these is just a reiteration of some of the ones I use. 1. Control the center = ROI; seeing everything as a cost or investment. 2. True Value = Roots or First Principles Thinking; questioning assumptions to gain clarity and truth. Also another tool I use called reversal where I ask questions like "how could I use this?" 3. Position > Submission = another example of ROI thinking. 4. Initiative is yet another iteration of ROI thinking. Thinking through how to get the most out of your actions one often realizes that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication and that "rapidity is the essence of war" as Sun Tzu would say. You're often better off ripping off the band aid than savoring the peel(I also use something called "123 do" in order to circumvent my tendency to procrastinate). 5. Retreat = another example of thinking in terms of reversal. Most cognitive tools I've found are just iterations of a few basic root nodes.

[@rikinosi]

1. Get momentum (activation energy (high) --> maintenance energy (low)) 2. Tactical retreat (sometimes the best move is to take a step back, sometimes the only way to movbe forward is to take a step back) 3. Control the center (get a highground) 4. Find that one main thing to focus on that gives the highest value back (eg. Calorie deficit insted of excercise when losing weight) 5. position over submition - dont just go for the ending move, first get the upper hand

[@AnthonyVicino]

Nice summary!

[@PolishBehemoth]

control the center of what? how does that apply to work life or aocial life or activities?

[@FahQMan]

@@PolishBehemothfind a goal and strategically think on which is the best way to get to that goal

[@23bamed]

Saved 17 minutes of pontification. Thank you 🙏

[@Joe-sg9ll]

​@@PolishBehemoththe center of the arena. social life - out on the dance floor rather than hugging the wall where you have a defensive advantage but are not actively engaging the situation. stand out from the crowd. volunteer for extra duty. surround yourself with challenge rather than approaching apprehensively. like draw a diagram of connections between employees. the central nodes are accountable to more people, threats, and opportunities. a cashier manages the cash register. a CEO manages finance, accounting, sales, personnel, PR, legal. make yourself more of a hub than a node. is what that metaphor means. be in the center of the map. a mover and a shaker. a little easier to get taken out, but can reach the whole board.

[@aljonserna5598]

1. Focus on where do you get the most value or the position most responsive to different issues 2. Know the value of the pieces, who is needed and where you can get/deploy them 3. Rather than focusing on a solid win, go for things/position that will give you the upper hand then you can easily deal with them later 4. Like in OODA Loop, be the one that sets things in motion as much as possible, leaving your opponents stuck deciding/responding 5. Just like knights in real life too much momentum, charging going deep in enemy formations (while you can kill as much as possible) you're done once you're dead/stuck. Whereas if you could retreat for a while you have a better breathing room which helps you deal much more damage overall

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thanks for the summary.

[@facundodelacruz97]

Thank you. Just adding some thoughts to #4 for my own later reference - but in case anyone finds it interesting too. Not a critique, but a supplementary view to avoid falling into a potential mind trap. > Take from the video: #4 - as is described in the video - seems to be fundamentally about 'owning & executing the right of initiative' --> identify opportunities to use initiative to inject initiating energy to gain momentum that leads to the right direction - or in other words - 'requires low maintenance energy' (and ideally - this whole process should be done swiftly in theory). Aim is to turn a time/mover advantage to a positional advantage or a complete win. > Obvious trap: to see 'setting things in motion', or the 'agility' as is often associated with OODA, per se as a goal. > Key underpinning: Motion != Momentum, and Momentum != Advantage. Aka its about 'setting [the right] things in motion [at the right time] as much as possible'. > Why? The opposite view leads to the cognitive frame (forward motion = better) easily leading to the problem #5 tries to solve. Doesn't matter if you're objectively 'not setting things in motion as much as possible' - as long as you know the right time to use initiative to set the right things in the right motion. > Heuristics: Sniper rifles & machine guns could do an equally good job putting down a target (cue #3 too). Napoleon was a master of #4 not for initiating things 80% of the time, but for doing the right things 80% of the time when the circumstances presented the chance to (that made him ahead of any opponents).

[@aljonserna5598]

@@facundodelacruz97 nice and decent point!

[@vinkeychain]

So many people have come crying to me about how bad their life is, and the first thing I tell them to do is to get good at chess. My life completely changed after I learned to play. (I'm like 1200-1600.) This is an awesome video I just sent it to like 10 people haha. I went to subscribe and realized I've already been subscribed, great stuff keep it up.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Ha, that's amazing. Thanks for sharing the video. I really appreciate that. Psyched to hear you found chess, too.

[@geemail369]

Preparing for a move and suddenly realizing _"Wow, i'm already in position!"_ sure is a moment to remember! 🏹

[@sneakerbabeful]

Not everyone understands how to think like a cbessplayer. But you do you.

[@chiedozieagwu7864]

I'm 2000 chesscom and I don't have this type of testimony😭

[@howmathematicianscreatemat9226]

Yes, chess is like problem solving maths in creative ways. It really really activates your whole problem solving capacity.

[@ZeraYaqob]

Position > Submission -> "The victorious fighter ensures victory before he wages a battle" Sun Tzu.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Great quote

[@alikhalil2863]

I guess I developed a skill after years watching ytb vids that is filtering quality content vs mediocre content. And yours is definitely quality content and I only watched one video. Thanks!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Hells yeah! Glad the video passed your quality filter!

[@lorriheffner2747]

this is one of the best posts I have ever seen for clear concise proper perspective and applying practice to principles for mastering your goals. excellent work🎉

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@isaacny]

Wow! I can't count the times I've been disappointed by watching "mental model" videos. I don't even know why I went for this one. These are legit, solid, clear mental models with great real life sample. Will be watching a few times more. Thanks Anthony

[@AnthonyVicino]

Psyched this one bucked the trend!

[@vikkotaruc]

Great content. Lots of practical applications. I also love the examples you shared. Definitely will rewatch this!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Davidkiania]

I really really love this content and mental models are powerful. Keep them coming. 👏🏾👏🏾

[@AnthonyVicino]

Will do! THank you.

[@B3ck05]

just discovered you! I'm hooked. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing knowledge.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Psyched you found the channel!

[@MrPaulOvin]

As a strtaegic thinker I loved this video. Tha analogy with chess is really good.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@bessyxyz]

I love how clearly this was put. Subscribed!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Glad you enjoyed.

[@marchickey4017]

“Maintaining your current trajectory”…..fook this made so much sense to me. It’s like you read my mind🙏

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad it resonated!

[@marchickey4017]

Crazy how some shit is so obvious, so in your face but yet you don’t see it cos your simply gazing else where🙈

[@israelbabajide7735]

The last framework is so key. Great video 👍🏾

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad you liked that one.

[@stephenkearny1504]

Excellent video man, esp the Tactical retreat part. Very sage.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thanks, brother! Glad you liked that one part in particular.

[@whoisrussell]

so much value! thank you

[@AnthonyVicino]

Psyched you enjoyed!

[@stuartshannon8561]

Loved this video. All good stuff.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lybansworld]

thank you. you bought me with this video. very well articulated and organized.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GermanSanz2024]

You’re the best my man! Thanks for this content, I really appreciate it. Regards from Spain

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@kingkongsatt]

Great Video, Man ❤️‍🔥 !!!! You should write a book of all the summarize you have been throughout different videos !!! Keep up the amazing work !!!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Working on the next book as we speak. Stay tuned!

[@grrrrr5517]

Genuinely one of the most valuable videos I’ve ever watched. Wow!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Psyched to hear that!

[@dimasfaqihuddin989]

thankyouu, love this analitic so much

[@AnthonyVicino]

You're so welcome!

[@nsm1091]

Wonderful work like always

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@MasteringTheMohment]

Absolutely incredible! You just gave me something new to think about, thank you!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JeremyNRuiz]

Thank you for the video!

[@AnthonyVicino]

My pleasure!

[@lattefrance]

I appreciate you alot. This very helpful in life. I'm mind-blown of this technique. All makes sense. Thank you!

[@AnthonyVicino]

You're so welcome!

[@guille45]

Awesome vid ! Subed and looking forward to your other vids ! Thanks

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thanks for the sub! Psyched to have you here.

[@alexeyfilatov3825]

Thank you for this video. Brilliant 👌

[@AnthonyVicino]

My pleasure!

[@peterhofer8998]

You are the first person I see on KZbin who combines startegic game thinking, live and business. It's really helpful, differentiated, valueable, I resonate and feel inspired, thank you 🙂 "If we are not moving towards a goal, it can often feel like a waste of time and energy." Spot on. (However, the example with the burnt calories falls short because of nutrient quality, phsyical anchor points, emotional factors, hormones and other subjects.)

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@puntomarketing]

Thank you! This is what I needed to hear at this moment

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PlatinumHunter1993]

Best content ive consumed lately!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Love hearing that!

[@markperron851]

Outstanding post Anthony. I am 65 and have played chess since I was 7. This spoke directly to me. I retired last year and have been weighing options of what's next. This past year was just spent getting 47 years of career stress out of my body. Now I am looking to explore areas that I enjoy but never got to put much time into. As I do so I am going to implement your concepts here and try to maximize the result. Thanks very much for sharing.

[@AnthonyVicino]

I love hearing that. So glad you found the video useful and that youre ready to tackle this next phase of life. Go get it!

[@terrymaverick580]

Great video brother

[@AnthonyVicino]

Much appreciated. Thank you.

[@jerrypalacio685]

Thank you. Excellent content. One suggestion though create a quick recap at the end. More power to you and your team!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thanks for watching. i appreciate it!

[@jatindersehmbi6239]

I will just echo what others have already said about this video - it's one of the best I've seen in a long time. I've subscribed, and I will be working my way through your back catalogue. Bravo! Keep up the excellent work.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Welcome aboard! I really appreciate the love.

[@davidcanencio8531]

Great video loved it

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad you enjoyed it Thank you!

[@brucewayne5718]

The position over submission is so power.

[@AnthonyVicino]

It's mega!

[@jo69123]

This is one of the best KZbin videos I’ve seen in a couple years I see content like this every day

[@AnthonyVicino]

Hells yeah. THat's really cool to hear.

[@MOTOVATEDEU]

Thanks for putting this out there. There are some smart very smart comments you have made.

[@AnthonyVicino]

I appreciate it!

[@IndrawanNugroho]

Brilliant!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@1_Percent_Man_Project]

Your point 4 on initiative and activation energy aligns well with Tony Robbin’s advice of if your life is stagnating, take massive action. I think if you can find something you’re passionate about and take massive action - even if it’s not related to where you’re trying to advance, you can transfer a lot of that momentum and energy into the thing after the fact.

[@AnthonyVicino]

As a general rule I try never to disagree with Tony Robbins. ;)

[@Srindal4657]

Games, specifically strategy games teaches us more about ourselves as well as others than real life can.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Agreed

[@taygodly]

What are some good games, other than chess?

[@riffz6065]

I love this video. Chess can literally teach you about life in so many ways.

[@AnthonyVicino]

100% agreed

[@code3697]

amazing. very well suited for business and also for life

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Bemused484]

What an excellent presentation of this topic, love it. And unbelievably inspiring! Today, I’m presenting to an exec team current issues that are affecting a fundamental process, reframing its design to a more strategic implementation. Just subscribed to your channel and looking forward to watching more, Thank you!!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed.

[@issamsaed5256]

Man I can relate to everything you said I enjoyed this video to the fullest please do more

[@AnthonyVicino]

I really appreciate that. Thank you.

[@AkkamNaguma]

Thank you Anthony

[@AnthonyVicino]

My pleasure!

[@govertwagenaar3230]

Great vídeo, thank you!

[@AnthonyVicino]

You are welcome!

[@arpitchourasia8]

Perfectly summed up concepts.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@biziswhatitis283]

“Who not how” is a great book! I also recommend “Straight line leadership”

[@AnthonyVicino]

Never heard of that one. Will have to check it out.

[@DigWitch]

Fantastic talk! I haven't developed the skills to see the board 3-5 moves ahead but knowing these basic concepts in chess and life (business and personal) has helped me greatly improve. Thank you for sharing!

[@AnthonyVicino]

My pleasure! So psyched you enjoyed

[@bigj3508]

Epic. Internalizing ALL this advice.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Love hearing that

[@rensagalirte]

Excelente vídeo, gracias

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you!

[@Sx-xy2zi]

Love the environment design concept and the activation and maintenance energy stuff (I was a physicist so this was helpful as a analogy lol)

[@AnthonyVicino]

That's awesome. Psyched the activation energy part resonated!

[@deedubb3605]

This is so doggone good.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you!

[@michaelonotoghene3768]

This is very insightful

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you!

[@user-uf1ke2gp9t]

Just brilliant!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you!

[@KazzyOfficial]

Great video

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Olofo_olofsson]

So many connections are firing in my brain right now, this video goes straight to favourites and will be watched multiple times 🙏👍

[@AnthonyVicino]

Nice. Which part is your favorite?

[@Olofo_olofsson]

@@AnthonyVicino the idea about first focusing on the centre of the board and the bjj positions analogy. I could see fault in earlier strategies I made in light of those two concepts. It's always nice to watch something when it adds clarity to your own life instead of just being theoretical.

[@livingbeings]

Useful and Relevant

[@AnthonyVicino]

Love hearing that. Thank you.

[@strikeback1080]

When you said position before submission in reference to the chess board Inwas thinking about BJJ, and boxing. Even though boxing doesn't have submissions there is an obvious advantage to punching when in position versus being too far away or too close/jammed up. And then you went into vast detail on boxing and BJJ and how it applied to the principles you were discussing. Also, your business example at the end was fantastic. This was one of the best KZbin videos I've ever seen. It was such a pleasure to like and subscribe before the vid even finished. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@AnthonyVicino]

So psyched to hear that! Thanks for being here!

[@delanym]

Thanks this really helped

[@AnthonyVicino]

My pleasure!

[@hafizarnaib]

Srsly , i love you man❤ keep it up

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you!

[@micheleazzu]

best video I've seen on KZbin in a while

[@AnthonyVicino]

Really psyched to hear that.

[@composercode]

Sooo solid dude. Came here looking for some strategies on playing a trading card game and left with insights for my business and life.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Nice! I love hearing that

[@Ma-pz5kl]

very friendly. thanks !!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you too!

[@BrianParsons-or1lv]

Thanks man really 🙏

[@AnthonyVicino]

No problem 👍

[@zekeii3483]

Beautiful video bravo bravo

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@RachidElBoukiouty]

Came from LinkedIn, nice content! Moved in to Canada, my life got upside down, kinda collapsing, Insightful video, thanks!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thanks for checking out the video (and the LinkedIn!). Good luck in Canada!

[@AlexIambroszki]

Wow. Your videos don't cease to amaze and inspire me at the same time. The world would be a much better place if kids were taught these concepts at school. Thanks Anthony!

[@AnthonyVicino]

You are so kind, Alex. Thank you.

[@user26344]

great presentation. insightful and useful ideas communicated clearly and in a novel and interesting way.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carlsolo515]

Thanks again Anthony. Will need time to digest a lot of subtle insights here.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Hope it brings you a ton of value!

[@Sammy_liveTv]

Most valuable video I’ve watched in a while

[@AnthonyVicino]

Love hearing that.

[@Sasha-li2bn]

Thanks!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Welcome!

[@winnershandbook1069]

as a chess player and a guy who loves mental models (munger and naval) this video is a gem. loved it!

[@AnthonyVicino]

So psyched to hear that! Definitely tried to take a different approach with this one. Glad you enjoyed.

[@iansmoir]

Fantastic video

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you!

[@nilehawkins7878]

Dope video.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you!

[@zekrullahanayatzada1753]

Thank you❤

[@AnthonyVicino]

You're welcome 😊

[@niclaskuhn2566]

Just wow! Love chess, love business but never saw anyone so far, connecting both as clever as you did on youtube

[@AnthonyVicino]

Huzzah! Winning! Psyched you enjoyed.

[@alimercedi7]

The life in its most beautiful, integrated form. Thank you, Anthony, for this masterpiece, I've thought about such a vudeo but never guessed that there's someone who did it happy for you man definitely informative and useful part 2 is a must at this point

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thanks, brother. So psyched you enjoyed.

[@IARM1]

Wonderful video.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you very much!

[@AbdikarimBuraleh]

Anthony is a legend!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you! I appreciate you.

[@bkashmaharjan5158]

Thank you

[@AnthonyVicino]

You're welcome

[@laifehacker]

Brother I hear your comments in your podcast of yesterday. This was the first video I watched of you, algo pointed me here, this video is one of the best I've seen lately... More chess& business!!

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thanks for listening. I appreciate you, brother!

[@shad0wyenigma]

I love this video. I’m not sure where I heard it but I once heard that business is an intellectual sport so thank you for giving me a couple new tools and reminding me of a few more

[@AnthonyVicino]

That's a great way of thinking about business. Love it.

[@TheEssence-gmodMovies]

One of the most important videos in my life

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad you found it valuable!

[@lexsodz]

I usually trust the first video KZbin recommends in the morning. And boy was I not disappointed. I ended up pushing back my flow work, to make some proper notes on this. Thank you and looking forward to future videos! I loved the chess examples. I used to love playing chess as a kid.

[@AnthonyVicino]

That's rad to hear. Sorry for cutting into the flow-work time, but psyched you enjoyed the video.

[@lexsodz]

@@AnthonyVicino Nah man, thank you! It was a conscious decision. It set off a domino of macro and micro decisions macro including sharing your video with a client who's just starting with me and you articulated exactly what I wanted him to hear and a whole bunch of Tweets as your ideas percolated in my mind on my run which ended up in me pulling the trigger on a content strategy that I had decided to start but been procrastinating on. Keep on doing these:) I'll be following.

[@kennethnzioka2904]

I've enjoyed that video and you can be sure I'm your newest follower, let alone subscriber.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Welcome aboard!

[@user-yx8ng3je6o]

Taking notes

[@AnthonyVicino]

Nice!

[@Joe-sg9ll]

that was surprisingly fantastic. this style of video is usually complete fluff. this is like four or five *actual* gems

[@AnthonyVicino]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@S_project.97]

Great content

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you!

[@pogo55555]

Umm... That was excellent. Liked. Subscribed.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Hells yeah!

[@elenakusevska6266]

I also busted my ass in my twenties on the wrong kind of work... if I had focused on profitable work with that level of motivation and determination, my life would have been very different.

[@AnthonyVicino]

I feel that in my heart.

[@victoreric4557]

Massive 🔥

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you!

[@liverpool3469]

Vasiliy Ivanchuk... I have not heard this name for a long long time! Thank you! It was during summer time, year 1986 in Baku (Azerbaijan)... we played draw... I love your videos! They are very very good!

[@AnthonyVicino]

That is incredibly impressive. Well played, my friend.

[@alexdennery3375]

As an avid chess fan I approve of this, not to mention all the gold, made a lot of bad judgements in my 20's and I'm 28 and restarting from scratch basically, really helpful.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Chess nerds unite!

[@badadviceforfree]

That was great

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you!

[@KateMoriah]

Do mine eyes deceive me? Do I see you have lept beyond 205k subscribers?! WOW!!! Outstanding, Mr. Vicino!! Well f*cking done, you. 🔥❤🔥

[@AnthonyVicino]

It's been a crazy run, that's for sure. Thanks for being along for the ride, Kate!

[@mishtichatterjee24]

Amazing video ,very practical & I could correlate it with my life . I love playing chess ,I felt it more entertaining to apply chess tactics to game of life.

[@AnthonyVicino]

Thank you!