High-Agency thinking for a purposeful life

Introduction

In a world of endless noise and conventional advice, true growth often comes from embracing high-agency thinking—the ability to see beyond standard solutions and create your own path forward. This isn't about rejecting wisdom but about developing a more nuanced, intentional approach to life's challenges. Today, I'd like to share some powerful mental models that have transformed my approach to decision-making, relationships, and personal development.

The Power of Unconventional Decision-Making

Choose Your Crisis Companions Wisely

If unsure who to work with, pick the person you'd call when stuck in a 3rd world jail cell.

This might sound extreme, but it cuts through the noise of professional credentials and surface-level impressions. While planning a challenging hiking trip, I had to decide between two friends to invite. One was an experienced outdoorsman with impressive gear and stories of previous adventures. The other had less technical experience but had demonstrated remarkable calm and resourcefulness in everyday situations. Thinking about who I'd want beside me if something went wrong on the trail, I chose the latter. This proved prescient when unexpected storms hit during our trek, and my friend's adaptability and steady demeanor helped us navigate safely back to civilization while other hikers panicked around us.

The real test of a relationship isn't how someone performs during success but how they respond during crisis. Consider applying this filter to your professional collaborations—it reveals character traits that no resume can capture.

Seek Historical Significance

If unsure what to work on, ask: What is ignored by the media but will be studied by historians?

Our attention is constantly pulled toward what's trending, but lasting impact often happens in the spaces nobody's watching. When I felt directionless in my career several years ago, I started examining which developments would matter in decades rather than days.

While everyone was discussing cryptocurrency price fluctuations, I became fascinated by the underlying blockchain technology's potential for transforming trust systems in developing economies. This led me to join a project that, while receiving minimal media attention, was creating infrastructure that would impact millions of lives.

Look for the signal in the noise—the developments that aren't making headlines but are quietly reshaping our future. This perspective shift can transform your work from merely productive to genuinely meaningful.

Choose the Better Story

If unsure on a decision, ask: What's the best story?

We often approach decisions with rigid analytical frameworks, weighing pros and cons in spreadsheets. While logical analysis has its place, there's profound wisdom in considering which path creates the more compelling narrative of your life.

When debating whether to accept a prestigious but conventional role or pursue a riskier venture with greater potential impact, I asked myself: "Which decision would make a better story?" Not for social media validation, but for my own sense of a life well-lived.

The "best story" approach isn't about choosing the most impressive-sounding option—it's about identifying which path aligns with your authentic values and contributes to a life narrative you'll be proud to claim. It's remarkable how often this simple filter clarifies otherwise complex decisions.