One of the metaphors or mnemonics that I often use for myself and also teach extensively is “Don’t do OPM” - a pun on the humble poppy and opium indeed. I hope it makes it easy to remember.

Over the years, I have moved from Models and Methods to helping look at things from the ground-up from first principles.

Even today, I model a lot. But these are only useful as a tool for me to help me do my work. I do not transfer my models over to anyone else. As I do my work with my model, it helps me derive models for those whom I work with.

Once you do that one’s own models appear. Once your model is crystal clear, the need for methods automatically appears. It is then easier to choose from a collection of various methods whether one or more methods in concert might suit you better in your change or process context that you are using it for. And then you can put in the work to make it your own, in order to make what (money, success, outcomes, etc.) one desires from it.

So, to recap the metaphor once again - “Don’t do OPM”: it might not be good for you and it might be injurious to your health.

• Don’t do “Other People’s Models”

• Don’t do “Other People’s Methods”

• and definitely Don’t look at “Other People’s Money”

and so forth…

Then, what is the answer? It is fairly simple…

“Don’t do OPM” - “Go make (get/find/grow) your own!”

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PS: No poppies were injured or killed in the writing of this post.