The law of the hammer
If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
🏷️ Categories: Continuous improvement, Creativity,Decision making and biases
Humans are creatures of habit.
We tend to use tools and skills that are familiar even when we know that other options might be more effective. This is called “The Law of the Hammer” and it was popularized when Abraham Maslow in 1966 stated: "If the only tool you have is a hammer, it is tempting to treat everything as if it were a nail."
Let's see today how open your mind is to experimenting.
Maybe you’re cutting down trees with a knife because axes just aren’t your thing; they say axes are good for cutting, but you don’t trust them and stick with your faithful knife.
I understand you, how could there be something that cuts trees better than a knife?
The human mind seeks comfort
What's more comfortable, using what always works or learning something new that might work better?
To avoid mental effort, we tend to prefer the known. Psychologist Daniel Kahneman (2012) called this “System 1.” We tend to think quickly, seeking mental shortcuts to avoid thinking deeply and solve the problem. In contrast, there is System 2, which is the rational mind, sitting down and evaluating all the options to then decide objectively.
Humans don’t usually operate that way.
The worst part is that our favorite choice is reinforced because we see that we have “succeeded” using it. Therefore, we have even less reason to change.
This is how you end up cutting down trees with a knife.
It cuts bread.
It even cuts branches.
Let’s cut a log 🤦♂️🌳.
Typical examples
Medicine: A doctor prescribes medications they know well instead of investigating new treatments, even if these could be more effective. Some don’t keep up with new advances.
Education: A teacher uses the same teaching methods year after year, without considering new techniques that could benefit their students.
Technology: A programmer insists on using a programming language without evaluating if it’s the best option because it’s the one they’re most comfortable with.
Using hammers to cut and knives to pound
Those who misuse their tools are playing at a disadvantage.
This is why it’s important to step out of your comfort zone. This curiosity to learn led me to the Zettelkasten method; those who follow me closely will know what I’m talking about. It’s been a great discovery in my life.
Today you will spend time learning new skills; the rest of your life, you will save time by knowing those skills.
How to choose the right tool
1. Get a toolbox
That is, don’t be afraid to experiment and learn new skills.
I’ll tell you an anecdote: A friend of mine told me he was fed up with always having a full email inbox. He’s not very tech-savvy, so I asked him if he had filters or multiple inboxes. This was his response.
— Huh? What’s that?
(Clear example of cutting trees with a knife).
One day we met up, and I organized his emails with labels to differentiate messages and multiple inboxes. Now he knows which emails are work-related, personal, social media, purchase alerts, etc. All automatic.
He takes half the time to do what he used to.
Technology is here to help us, let’s take advantage of it.
If you want to know more about the topic, in this text I clearly explain how I use my tools daily to make my life easier and save a lot of time.
And how did I learn all that?
Simple, by asking myself how I could do what I do now more easily.
2. Choose your tool
Okay, we've already bought an axe and we've seen that it's good for felling. It's time to know how to choose the axe and the rest of the new tools at the right time.
We will base this on Praveen’s methodology (2019).
Identify: What is the problem? For example, if you’re having difficulties with your studies, identify the source of the problem. Is the subject difficult, do you lack time, do you lack concentration? If it’s a lack of time, we now need to work on finding more time.
Research: What do you know about study habits? Do you take too long because of your study method? Are you using the right tool? Do you do better with pencil or PC?
Plan: When it’s clear what’s failing and why it’s failing, choose the tool to solve it. If you don’t have it, go back to the initial point “buy the tool,” learn, and be curious; like my friend with the email.
Observe: Check how well your progress is going after choosing a tool. If your problem was study time, are you studying faster now? Do you have better grades? This way, you avoid the temptation to say “I was better off before.” Now you really know if you’ve improved or not.
💭 Your turn: Have you ever realized that you were cutting down trees with a knife and thought you knew exactly what you were doing? I do, but I strive every day to have the best tools in the best conditions.
✍️ Quote of the day: "Give me 5 hours to chop down a tree and I will spend 4 sharpening the axe.”
Thanks for reading 🙏, see you soon 👋.
References 📚
Kahneman, D. (2012). Pensar rápido, pensar despacio. DEBATE.
Kaplan, A. (1964). The Conduct of Inquiry: Methodology for Behavioral Science.
Maslow, A. H. (1966). The Psychology of Science: A Reconnaissance. New York : Harper & Row.
Shrestha, Praveen. (2019, 16 junio). Psychological Steps Involved in Problem Solving - Psychestudy. Psychestudy. https://www.psychestudy.com/cognitive/thinking/psychological-steps-problem-solving