Event + Response = Outcome

This is the first blog post detailing mental models to live a successful and fruitful life. The mental models I post will have different purposes whether it be social, professional, interview, investing, or academic. Hopefully, you will find the collection of mental models useful and applicable in your own lives.

Event + Response = Outcome

This mental model Event + Response = Outcome was created by Jack Canfield, the Cocreator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul Series, in his book "The Success Principles." Jack Canfield is a highly accomplished individual who has spoken at numerous Fortune 500 companies, authored over 10 self-help books, and is accompanied by a loving spouse. Jack Canfield has aided thousands of individuals in achieving their goals through his models and systems.

The first step to success is the assumption of total responsibility of one's actions and outcomes. This means that every result, every friendship, every failure, every grade is of your own doing and not the result of someone else doing. When you assume total responsibility, there is no one you can blame but yourself and there are no excuses.

Event + Response = Outcome is a mental model that frames that outcomes are entirely correlated with your actions regardless of the event. The variable " Event" is the set of circumstances that one is put into and is fixed. You cannot change the circumstances. For example, if an earthquake ravages San Francisco that puts a hault to traffic on the I-880, everyone on the freeway is experiencing the same "Event."

However, the response one chooses directly influences the type of outcome one comes up with. A driver who complains that traffic is terrible on the I-880 whether there is an earthquake or tsunami is making excuses for one's failures. However another driver who is prepared with Spanish Casettes and a book can have a great outcome from a given set of circumstances.

In short, your responses directly affect your outcome.