Our brains are wonderful tools, but they are nonetheless prone to misjudging information and making suboptimal decisions. In many situations, we act without fully considering why we are behaving in a certain way. We like to feel good about ourselves; we interpret the world using stories instead of statistics; and we make instinctive judgments and then stick to them. How can we think more clearly and make better decisions—in business and in life?

This book is a practical and accessible introduction to mental models, teaching readers how to harness their power to think more clearly, make better decisions, and learn more effectively. The essential step in applying these concepts and frameworks, Jaime Lester shows, is to pause. Take a moment to reflect on the options, decide on the optimal approach before launching into action, and reexamine the process regularly. Drawing on a variety of academic disciplines as well as cognitive and behavioral research, Lester offers step-by-step templates to improve readers’ critical thinking and decision making. He guides readers through honing their reasoning in areas including finance, economics, statistics, and daily life and draws broader lessons for cultivating a prudent investment approach as well as personal well-being and happiness. Written in a conversational and witty style and featuring memorable examples and illustrations, Pause to Think shares essential lessons and tools for all readers interested in the power of mental models.

"If you have studied the great Charlie Munger, or you are on some kind of life-learning journey, you know that mental models play a central role in how to navigate the world. If you are familiar with mental models, add this book to your collection. If you are new to mental models, it’s a good place to start. If you have no clue what I’m talking about, buy the book anyway. I guarantee you will be smarter. My only criti[que] is that Lester should have written [this] book years ago. I would have been wealthier." - Eclectic Musings, Brian Langis blog