Yiming Zhang Cognitive Checklist (Full Version 60 Items)

01 Cognition and Thinking
1. Cognitive ability is the biggest gap between people.
2. Make decisions based on facts and logic.
3. Delay judgment when information is insufficient.
4. Stay rational and avoid being distorted by extreme emotions.
5. Think independently.
6. View problems from multiple perspectives.
7. Maintain curiosity about the world and keep learning.
8. Use first principles to return to the essence of things.
9. Accept uncertainty and advance amid ambiguity.
10. Continuously calibrate your cognitive weights.
02 Mindset and Cultivation
1. Maintain a calm mind—avoid euphoria, anxiety, and internal conflict.
2. The smaller the ego, the more accurate the decisions.
3. Be extremely honest with yourself and avoid self-deception.
4. Do not complain about the environment or others.
5. Control your emotions, rather than being controlled by them.
6. Do not be fragile; treat criticism as feedback.
7. Be humble, but not servile.
8. Develop more genuine strength.
9. Pursue excellence in tasks and maintain a normal attitude toward people.
10. Think long-term and be a friend of time.
03 Doing Things and Execution
1. Think clearly, communicate clearly, and execute properly.
2. Start first, then iterate and optimize quickly.
3. Be results-oriented and prove value through output.
4. Focus on the main contradictions, avoid getting tangled in minor details.
5. Do things correctly, not just quickly.
6. Reusable and scalable capabilities are true strengths.
7. Value processes but do not be bound by them.
8. Ensure every task has clear instructions and follow-up.
9. Maintain high standards and strict requirements; never settle.
10. Be intensely focused—do only one thing at a time.
04 Self-Management
1. Be highly disciplined.
2. Manage your energy well.
3. Delay gratification.
4. Minimize ineffective information consumption.
5. Reflection is more important than effort.
6. Consistent effort yields results.
7. Reject short-term pleasures in pursuit of long-term compound interest.
8. Maintain physical and mental health.
9. Turn habits into instincts and instincts into advantages.
10. Do not procrastinate—act immediately when you think of something.
05 Communication and Collaboration
1. The purpose of communication is to advance matters.
2. Be transparent, simple, and direct to reduce communication costs.
3. Focus on the issue, avoid personal attacks.
4. Look for others’ strengths and minimize focusing on their weaknesses.
5. Practice empathy and understand others’ perspectives.
6. Be brave to express yourself and good at listening.
7. Use altruistic thinking to build long-term trust.
8. Avoid arguing, internal conflict, and opposition.
9. Be strict about tasks but gentle with people.
10. Prioritize the team; individuals follow.
06 Growth and Perspective
1. Given most people’s low effort level, talent is rarely the key factor.
2. Pain + Reflection = Growth.
3. Treat setbacks as material for iteration.
4. Perspective determines the outcome.
5. Continuously deliver value.
6. Do not set limits.
7. Focus on the long term.
8. Do difficult but correct things.
9. Keep your original intention.
10. Always keep evolving.