There is a common phrase in I.T. - "Tech Stack".

What is a Tech Stack?

A tech stack refers to the collection of tools, applications, software, and other components that a company utilizes to build its products and services, manage its operations, and evaluate its performance in the market. This term is quite expansive and encompasses various subsets, as exemplified by the visual representation below from HubSpot.

In a simpler example, we all have our own Tech Stack to help us navigate modern life. For instance, if you have a child in baseball, your Tech Stack might include Gmail for communication, Google Calendar for scheduling, Gamechanger for team communications and schedules, Uber Eats for food delivery to the field, and an iPhone to run these applications. This is a classification of all these tools and applications stacked together to accomplish a larger goal.

Here's the interesting part: we all know how painful it can be to have a missing piece in that baseball example, right? One missing application or tool, and the stack becomes ineffective. The same principle applies to a tech stack.

This got me thinking: why limit this concept to just the technology space? What if we assess our own personal performance using a Mental Stack?

Let’s discuss the term “Mental Health.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. At its most basic level, Mental Health influences how we think, feel, and act. It determines how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Similar to Physical Health, Mental Health is important at every stage of life.

Yet, the term "mental health" can still be an enigma for many people, myself included, when it comes to achieving the ultimate state of well-being. Marketers often tout products as being "better for you," leaving us even more confused about what will genuinely help us achieve better mental health.

So, I started listing out all the ways I maintain my mental health, and I realized I could classify these things. While they are all interconnected, they form a circular mental stack—a MENTAL STACK.

Research indicates that the five general areas mentioned above are key aspects of wellness. By dissecting the habits associated with these areas, we can create our own mental framework.

When I contemplated the various practices I employ to maintain mental well-being, I realized that creating a structured 'Mental Stack' would make it quicker to identify what's lacking during times of unease. Over time, I've been using this framework, which allows me to promptly pinpoint deficiencies affecting my performance. Of course, life's demands can sometimes hinder optimal functioning, but with this Mental Stack, it becomes much easier to recognize what might be causing the dip in performance.

Having reorganized the way I structure my Mental Stack, I've started applying this approach to other aspects of my life, including parenting. Does structuring your thoughts in this manner also aid your brain in categorizing things effectively? I'm genuinely curious and would love to hear your thoughts on this approach.