3 shortcuts to think sharper 💡

Plus: Graduate from being an "Excel newbie"

January 23, 2025

Hey! How did Excel treat you last year? Did it lead to frustration and confusion? Did it save you time…or waste it? 🤔 If Excel felt more like a headache than a help, it doesn’t have to be that way this year. 

Join my free Excel class on Lookup Functions and save over 100 hours at work in 2025! In just 1 hour, you’ll learn how to quickly find the data you need, avoid costly mistakes, and become the Excel wizard I know you can be. 🧙

Save your spot today—see you soon!

Graduate From Being an Excel Newbie 🎓️ 

Are you ready to graduate from being an “Excel newbie?”

If you already know how to use basic functions (such as SUM and AVERAGE), insert data, and format cells, you might be wondering…what’s the next thing you should learn?

That’s when Lookup functions come in. 🔎 These functions (otherwise known as XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP) help you search for and manage data in larger tables—a key skill to have in Excel!

Here’s an example of a Lookup function in action: Say you have a spreadsheet with a list of countries and their populations. Your goal is to surface Italy’s population.

Step 1) In your separate column, type what you want to find (in this case, “Italy”). Then in the cell adjacent, begin your formula with =XLOOKUP

Step 2) In the (lookup_value), insert the cell that contains the search term as the first input. In our case, that’s D5 for “Italy.” Our formula is now =XLOOKUP(D5,

Step 3) Insert the lookup_array and return_array (in that order) to our formula. It’s now =XLOOKUP(D5,A2:A6,B2:B26)

Step 4) Hit enter and you’re set! XLOOKUP magically surfaces the population of Italy.

We’ve only scratched the surface of what lookup functions can do! Join my free Excel class to reach that next level (and really wow your boss). We’ll cover XLOOKUP, VLOOKUP, and more time-saving tools.

What Is a Miss Excel Class Really Like?

In one word? Fun.

I know that sounds wild—how could learning Excel actually be fun? But I promise after attending my free Excel class, you’ll be amazed at how satisfying it feels to be able to breeze through any spreadsheet.

And in this class? We’re going over Lookup Functions, one of the most powerful tools in Excel that’ll save you hours of work. Register today and join the 350,000 people who’ve taken my class (and had a blast!).

Bonus: đŸŽ When you register you get instant access to our Lookup Functions cheat sheet!

Three Mental Models to Think Sharper 💡

If there’s one thing I’m a big fan of (besides Excel, of course), it’s mental models. 

Mental models are an explanation of how something works—picture them as a shortcut for your brain to understand information quicker and better. 

Back in my consulting days, I used mental models all the time to navigate tricky workplace situations. Here are my top three that’ll help you think sharper: 

  1. Hanlon’s Razor 🗯️

Hanlon’s Razor: Don’t assume someone’s actions come from bad intentions when it could be a misunderstanding. 

That “rude” email from your manager? They’re likely swamped—not out to get you. Your co-worker didn’t loop you in on a project? They’re not trying to exclude you, but probably just forgot. 

  1. Second-Order Thinking ♟️

Everyone can anticipate the immediate impact of their actions—that’s first-order thinking. But the real power is asking “...and then what?” 

That’s second-order thinking—looking beyond the now to see the bigger picture. For example, you pull an all-nighter to finish a presentation. But second-order thinking is realizing you’ll be a zombie during the presentation tomorrow. Does thinking about the impacts make that first decision a wise one?

  1. Activation Energy 🪫

The hardest part of almost any task is getting started. Why? Because it requires activation energy. 

But if we can find a catalyst to lower activation energy? We’ll have an easier time diving in—which is why tools such as coffee, music, or even inspiration from chatting with a friend can be helpful! 

These are just a handful of my favorite mental models, but there are over a hundred more out there! Which one is your favorite? Hit reply and let me know! 💫

If there’s a project you’d love to create this year, but you’re in your own way? Remember this quote by Seth Godin:

“The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.” 

Stay Exceling,

Kat