First-order thinking is what most people engage in most of the time. Marks described it as "simplistic and superficial," noting that "just about everyone can do it." It's not that first-order thinking is wrong or inferior. In contrast, second-order thinking is complex and requires significantly more effort.

As someone who truly enjoys the hustle and bustle, I often find myself with a lot of obligations, both personal and business (maybe to a fault at times). No tool or application can make us productive; that's a personal decision and requires discipline to follow through. But certain tools jive with my methodology and mental processes. Here are five tools that I use daily to help me kick ass.

In music, the slight raising or lowering of pitch can brighten a song or alter its spirit. In paintings, a subtle color variation can change the tone of a work. And in fashion, nuance can tie a look together with "a little bit more, or a little bit less." But nuance is important far beyond the arts; it's key to a high functioning free society.