No. 167 · Work · Physics
Potential Energy
Stillness is not emptiness: value can be stored, waiting to be released.
In the Almanac
“Hoover Dam”, 1931–1936 · “Mattel and Barbie”, 2023
Both stories in full, three ways to use it and where it misleads.
Get the AlmanacQuestions
What is Potential Energy?
Potential energy is energy stored in an object because of its position or configuration, like water held behind a dam or a drawn bow. As a mental model, it reminds us that stillness is not emptiness: unused skills, savings, relationships and dormant brands can all hold enormous stored value.
How do you use Potential Energy?
To use it, look for abilities and assets you've built but never put to work, and find the project that would release them. Build reserves like emergency savings and trust before you need them. Then direct the release carefully, because potential only matters once it becomes action.
When does Potential Energy matter?
Potential Energy is one of the 43 mental models for work, the situations where you ask: How do I get the right things done? Within that, it belongs to “Building skill”, alongside Comparative Advantage, Deliberate Practice and Divergent Thinking vs Convergent Thinking.
What is an example of Potential Energy?
Two stories show it at work: Hoover Dam (1931–1936) and Mattel and Barbie (2023). Both are told in full in The Mental Models Daily Almanac, which has two stories for each of its 365 models.
Which mental models are related to Potential Energy?
Activation Energy, Preserving Optionality and Margin of Safety. Potential Energy itself comes from physics.