Layered Thinking
When things get complicated, I don’t try to hold it all in my head at once, I break it into layers.
This mindset helps me make sense of complex systems, especially in projects that involve electronics, code, documentation, or multiple people working together. It’s a way of organizing work so that I can stay focused without losing sight of the big picture.
I don’t mean layers in a strict engineering way (like OSI models or tech stacks), but more like mental layers, zoom levels, perspectives, and stages of thinking.
How I Use It
- In electronics, I might separate power, logic, and mechanical systems
- In code, I think about structure, flow, and interaction layers
- In teaching, I often separate the concept from the tool from the outcome
- In planning, I break things into now / next / later
- In writing, I think about outline → draft → refine
Layered thinking helps me avoid feeling stuck or overwhelmed. If something isn’t working, I ask:
“What layer is this problem really in?”
Why It Matters
Projects rarely fail because of one thing, it’s often multiple small things interacting. By breaking things into layers, I can trace problems back more clearly and make better decisions about what to change (and when).
It also helps me explain my thinking to others. When I can show someone what layer a decision lives in, it’s easier to get aligned — even if we see things differently.
Example
In a learning environment, I might think about:
- Layer 1: The student's mindset and confidence
- Layer 2: The tools and process they’re learning
- Layer 3: The final output or goal
If something isn’t working, I don’t just focus on the output, I trace it back through the layers to find where the real issue might be.
Layered thinking isn’t a formula it’s a flexible mental model. It helps me stay organized, move forward, and make complexity feel a little more manageable.