10 underestimated ways of thinking and behaving that have a real impact

In business as well as in private life, it is not always the obvious skills that make the difference in the long term. They are often quiet but profound ways of thinking that have an astonishing effect over the years.

Here are ten such principles that we at MKY Treuhandpartner find particularly powerful time and time again — both among our clients and in our own company:

1. Understanding the power of asymmetrical decisions

Why important: Most decisions in life seem big, but they aren't — _because the costs of failure are small, but the potential profit is huge_. This is known as an “asymmetrical opportunity-risk ratio.”

Why often underestimated: You're used to carefully evaluating risks — but this mindset can prevent you from taking bold steps where you can _lose relatively little but gain a great deal _ (e.g. setting up a side project, investing, networking, etc.).

2. The meta-ability of “reframing”

Why important: Reframing means consciously changing your view of an event — for example, seeing failures as information or setbacks as training impulses.

Why underestimated: Analytical people in particular often believe that “reality” exists. But emotional energy, resilience, and even success often depend _more on interpretation than on the event itself_.

3. The ability to really endure boredom

Why important: Progress in complex areas (e.g. sports, finance, entrepreneurship, relationships) often comes from repetition — not from constant change. Successful people learn how to deal with boredom productively.

Why underrated: In our culture, high activity is confused with productivity. But the real mastery often lies in patience and persistence. _

4. Mental models from evolutionary theory

Why important: Principles such as _selection, adjustment, variation_ are universal. They help you build systems that improve on their own (e.g. company processes, learning systems, relationships).

Why underestimated: Evolution sounds like biology — but the _thoughts behind it_ help you better manage “trial and error” and get rid of unnecessary perfection.

5. Emotional self-regulation (especially: stress and impulse control)

Why important: A clear mind is of no use if your nervous system overheats during stress. Many “bad decisions” or conflicts are simply _neurobiological short circuits_.

Why underrated: People who work well often believe they “have it under control.” But the higher the pressure, the more it becomes apparent: _The master remains calm, even internally. _

6. The ability to think in terms of probabilities over long periods of time

Why important: Decisions involving uncertainty (investments, people, strategy) often require _thinking in terms of probabilities, not in terms of securities.

Why underestimate: Our intuition favors binary thinking (“right/wrong”), but real progress is almost always based on “probably better.”

Buffett and Munger_ practically live in this model of thought.

7. The practice of targeted deep work

Why important: In a distracting world, whoever can _work intensively, trouble-free and deeply _ wins — even just 1-2 hours a day makes you think twice.

Why underrated: It looks like “less work” from the outside, but is _radically more effective_ — especially when it comes to strategic or creative tasks.

8. The art of self-forgiveness

Why important: If you can't forgive yourself, you're stuck. The best entrepreneurs, parents, athletes make mistakes — but they _don't carry them around all the time_.

Why underestimated: Self-critical people confuse repentance with responsibility. But _forgiveness_ enables the ability to learn, peace of mind, and long-term energy.

9. The ability to deal constructively with ambiguity

Why important: The really valuable paths in life come _without clear maps_. Leadership, child-rearing, entrepreneurship — everything depends on _acting in the fog.

Why underestimated: The desire for clarity is human — but success often comes from _acting in spite of fog, not from waiting for light.

10.The recognition that “inner states” dominate your life**

Why important: Your everyday life is not what _happens_ but _how you feel about it_. Inner states such as satisfaction, gratitude, and peace can be trained — just like muscles.

Why underestimate: You may think that external successes _automatically_ lead to inner peace. But it is often the other way around: _Inner work creates external clarity. _

Our conclusion at MKY:

These principles aren't short-term life hacks — they're long-term levers of success. As a fiduciary partner, we think along with the entrepreneurial spirit. It's not just about numbers, but about ways of thinking that promote growth, clarity, and good decisions.

Your MKY Treuhandpartner GmbH