Mental models are simplified frameworks that help us understand the world and make better decisions. Rooted in disciplines ranging from economics to psychology, these thinking tools allow us to navigate uncertainty, avoid common cognitive traps, and systematically evaluate choices. While no single model guarantees correctness, developing a latticework of mental models—as Charlie Munger advises—enables us to approach problems from multiple angles and identify solutions that might otherwise remain hidden. The most powerful insight: the map is not the territory—our models are approximations, not reality itself.