---
name: n-mental-models
description: "Use when applying The Almanack of Naval Ravikant to use compounding, incentives, evolution, game theory, complexity, inversion, and probability. Trigger for user requests involving Naval, n-, naval mental models, life design, wealth, judgment, happiness, health, values, or book-derived operating principles."
---

# Naval Mental Models

## Purpose

Use compounding, incentives, evolution, game theory, complexity, inversion, and probability.

## Read First

- `../../references/book-map.md`
- `../../references/coverage-matrix.yaml`
- `../../references/skill-catalog.md`
- `../../references/chapter-summaries/judgment.md`
- `../../references/workflows/decision-scorecard.md`

## Use When

- The user asks for `n-mental-models` directly.
- The user asks: "Which mental models apply here?"
- The user is dealing with: use compounding, incentives, evolution, game theory, complexity, inversion, and probability.
- The situation would benefit from a decision recommendation or falsifiable test.

## Workflow

1. Restate the user's situation in plain language.
2. Ask for missing context only when the decision would otherwise be unsafe or fake.
3. Apply the relevant Naval lens from the references.
4. Separate signal from status, desire, fear, identity, and generic self-help.
5. Convert the principle into a concrete decision, scorecard, experiment, practice, or next action.
6. Include a short caveat when the topic touches health, finance, legal risk, or exact citation.

## Output

Return concise sections:

- Situation
- Naval lens
- Diagnosis
- Options or scorecard
- Recommended action
- 7-day experiment or daily practice
- What to avoid

## Do Not

- Do not reproduce long book passages.
- Do not pretend Naval has one answer for every person.
- Do not give generic motivation when a decision, practice, or test is possible.
- Do not treat money, status, peace, health, and meaning as interchangeable.

## Example

User: "Which mental models apply here?"
Assistant: Apply this skill, cite the relevant reference section, and end with one concrete action.

## Quality Bar

- Make the answer specific to the user's actual situation.
- Prefer one sharp recommendation over a buffet of advice.
- Name the tradeoff or hidden cost.
- End with something the user can do, test, stop, or observe today.