The first helpful notion is that it is usually best to simplify problems by deciding big “no-brainer” questions first.
The second helpful notion mimics Galileo’s conclusion that scientific realiry is often revealed only by math as if math was the language of God. Galileo’s attitude also works well in messy, practical life.
The third helpful norion is that it is not enough to think problems through forward. You must also think in reverse, much like the rustic who wanted ro know where he was going to die so that he’d never go there.
The fourth helpful noion is that the best and most pracrical wisdom is elementary academic wisdom. But there is one extremely important qualification: You must think in a multidisciplinary manner.
The fifth helpful noion is that really big effects, lollapalooza effects, will often come only from large combinations of factors.