What are the four ways to think like an economist?

1. Optimize decision-making: Think about how to make the best decisions for yourself or for a collective group you’re associated with. This can involve analyzing costs and benefits of a given decision, understanding the impact of certain tradeoffs and/or considering any unforeseen externalities. 2. Focus on incentives: As an economist, you need to focus on understanding judgment, incentives and constraints that might impact individuals or groups in making optimal decisions. Ask yourself what are the costs and benefits associated with various decisions, what incentives are driving those decisions, and which constraints need to be considered before taking action. 3. Consider tradeoffs: As an economist, you need to consider the costs and benefits associated with certain tradeoffs. Tradeoffs are the basics of economics, such as how does one choice affect other options, what are the opportunity costs to weigh up, etc. Think about the short-term versus long-term implications of a decision and how to maximize the best outcome for all involved. 4. Look for underlying patterns: Economists view the world through the lens of data. Try to spot data-driven trends or sources of potential growth opportunities. Also analyze the implications of those trends and think about ways to capitalize on them. By understanding the currents of the market, you can make more informed decisions.