The Shane Parrish Starter Guide

How to save thousands of dollars and think like a superstar

If I wanted to gain the clear thinking skills an elite education entails without spending $100,000, I’d start by learning from Shane Parrish.

The ability for clear thinking — described by Shane Parrish as the “mastery over the ordinary moments” — creates unforeseen results elite leaders constantly daydream about. If only we could see what we can’t currently see, our lives would be completely changed.

Why Should You Care? 

“Your life is designed to get the results you are getting right now. How are you creating the conditions you say you don’t want?” – Shane Parrish 

In his new book, Clear Thinking, Shane recommends readers create their own “Personal Board of Directors” – what he calls “exemplars” – who raise one’s personal standards. “Show me your role models and I’ll show you your future,” says Shane.

Shane is one of those who sits on my own “Personal Board of Directors.” 

A few years ago, I found myself frustrated and repeatedly making poor decisions in multiple areas of my life until a friend introduced me to Shane Parrish’s work. His writing gave me a trellis to start growing the vines of my unique life upon. 

Without helpful mental models and clear thinking, my decisions and thinking were failing to accomplish the goals I had for myself, my career, and most importantly my life. 

I was able to take my mindset through the robust training and leaning from Shane Parrish and Farnam Street and more. I know you’ll benefit in the same way.

Three Ways to Think Clearly

There are three pieces of media from Shane Parrish that are essential to consume as a first-time introduction and a jump-start to begin a journey to clearer thinking. 

1. Buy Clear Thinking, but Start with the End of the book  

Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results 

“What we think of as defining moments, like promotions or a new house, matter less to life satisfaction than the accumulation of tiny moments that didn’t seem to matter at the time. In the end, everyday moments matter more than big prizes. Tiny delights over big bright lights.” – Shane Parrish 

I’m going to suggest that if you grab a copy of Clear Thinking, you Start with Page 221, not page 1. Crafting an elite mindset that is able to solve problems and create incredible solutions is nothing if it’s solving inconsequential issues or focused on insignificant things. 

2. Listen to Shane Parrish on the Permanent Podcast 

“Why Discipline Doesn’t Matter” Interview on the Permanent Podcast 

“I don’t have a ton of discipline, but ritual I can do…ritual cements what I want to do with discipline.” – Shane Parrish 

This episode taught me to reframe my fitness. Shane shares in this episode that he works out “every day.” Shane’s reframing that you need rituals vs. discipline alone is life-changing. Sitting in the sauna could be part of the ritual of showing up to the gym. Working out was non-negotiable and just something he did – and does – every single day. Ritual is far more powerful than discipline. 

3. Read the essay Why Write? 

“Writing about something teaches you about what you know, what you don’t know, and how to think.” Clear thinking will become more valuable, not less.”  – Shane Parrish 

In a world enraptured by the “power” of AI, why should you write anymore? This piece gives the ultimate answers to why you should be writing more, not less, in the digital age. You will become a better thinker if you become a better writer.

Wait, I Want More…

• Short Reading: Farnam Street Blog or Brain Food Newsletter  

• Listening: Knowledge Project Podcast 

• Medium Reading: Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results 

• Long Reading: Great Mental Models Volume I: Thinking Concepts

• Long Reading: Great Mental Models Volume II: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology 

• Long Reading: Great Mental Models Volume III: Systems and Mathematics