Studying multiple mental models is something I’ve come to see as essential, not just for success, but for depth, originality, and clarity in the way we think. This idea is often championed by Charlie Munger, who attributes much of his decision-making ability to drawing from a broad base of disciplines.
But this isn’t a new concept. Think about Benjamin Franklin or Leonardo da Vinci who were both masters in their respective crafts. What set them apart was their ability to think across disciplines. They weren’t confined to one field and they pulled knowledge from many areas, and that gave their work depth, creativity, and impact.
In The Book of Five Rings, master swordsman Miyamoto Musashi writes:
“A man cannot understand the perfections and imperfections of his chosen art if he cannot see the value in other arts. Following rules only permits development up to a point in technique; to advance further the student and artist must learn and seek other knowledge.”
That quote touched me because it’s a reminder that growth in any area of life or work isn’t linear and it often comes from the unexpected, from learning something seemingly unrelated and applying it in a new way. When we pull from different aspects of life, we gain a richer way of thinking. We train ourselves to make better decisions because we’re seeing from more angles and have so many different perspectives to pull from.
Robert Greene, in his book Mastery, talks about the architect Santiago Calatrava, whose work exemplifies this idea. When I was living in Dallas, I used to drive past the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge which is one of his famous designs. His buildings look so fluid, so different from anything else, because he approaches architecture with an interdisciplinary mindset, blending art, engineering, and sculpture. That’s what makes his work so powerful.
I really think that there is so much power in learning multiple disciplines. I challenge you and myself to learn a new skill or read something outside your usual interests. Explore different philosophies, sciences, or art forms. The perspective you gain might just shape your work or your life in ways you never expected.
