The Thinking Tool That Changes Everything: First Principles

Ever get stuck on a problem and feel like you’re just rearranging the same ideas?

That’s probably because you’re thinking in analogies—not in first principles.

Let’s change that.

What Is First Principles Thinking?

First principles thinking is the practice of breaking something down to its most fundamental truths, then building up from there.

It’s not:

“What have others done?”

It’s:

“What’s really true? What are the building blocks? What am I assuming that might be wrong?”

Instead of copying or tweaking what already exists, you start from scratch and reimagine the solution.

Why It Works

Most people default to “reasoning by analogy.”
They copy, paste, and slightly modify. It feels efficient—but it often leads to stagnation.

First principles thinking exposes assumptions, surfaces insights, and leads to original, resilient solutions.

That’s why innovators like Elon Musk, Aristotle, and Steve Jobs used it to think differently—and win.

It forces you to:

• Question your assumptions
• Avoid lazy shortcuts
• Understand problems deeply
• Build smarter, leaner solutions

It’s a skill they emphasize in both MBA and PhD programs for a reason: it works.

Who Should Use It?

You should—especially if you:

• Solve problems for a living
• Build businesses or products
• Want to improve systems, strategy, or processes
• Are tired of “best practices” that don’t actually work for you

This mindset helps anyone become a sharper thinker, a better planner, and a more innovative operator.

When to Use It

• When a problem keeps coming back
• When you’re doing something just because “that’s how it’s done”
• When you want to build something new
• When you feel stuck copying others
• When the status quo isn’t delivering results

Where It Applies

Anywhere. Literally.

• Business strategy
• Product development
• Marketing campaigns
• Personal growth
• Habit change
• Health and fitness
• Education

If there’s a challenge or a system, first principles can help you understand and rebuild it better.

How To Use It (Fast Version)

Here’s the 5-step process:

1. Define the problem
   Ex: “Same-day delivery is too expensive.”
2. List all assumptions
   “We can’t afford drivers. Customers won’t pay more. It’s logistically impossible.”
3. Break it down
   “What does same-day delivery really require? Vehicles? Proximity? Demand?”
4. Ask what’s actually true
   “Do we need to offer it everywhere? Can we partner locally?”
5. Build a new solution from the bottom up

This works for everything from new product ideas to fixing your sleep schedule.

My Approach

I rarely say “I assume.”

Instead, I say:

• “I suspect…”
• “I conclude…”

That little change keeps me honest.

It forces me to ask why something is the way it is. And if I can’t answer it with logic or evidence, I know I’m guessing—not reasoning.

This habit leads me back to first principles every time.

Try This Today

Pick a challenge you’re facing.

Ask:

• What are my assumptions?
• What is undeniably true?
• What could I do if I started from zero?

Then rebuild it.

You’ll feel like you just wiped the fog off a dirty window.

Want to read the full article? Find it here.