“All I want to know is where I’m going to die, so I’ll never go there.”—Charlie Munger
The crucial thinking skill nobody ever taught you.
The Inversion Framework:
The crucial thinking skill nobody ever taught you.
The Inversion Framework:
You don’t need to design a life-sustaining potion to reach your goals.
Just avoid the worst scenarios.
Inversion involves thinking about the opposite of your goal so you can avoid it.
It’s simple, yet under-practiced.
Just avoid the worst scenarios.
Inversion involves thinking about the opposite of your goal so you can avoid it.
It’s simple, yet under-practiced.
Children are taught to engage in wishful thinking.
Wishful thinking is the belief that if you want something to happen, it will.
But wishful thinking is fallible.
Inversion comes from a place of rationality.
Don’t wish something into existence.
Take steps toward your goal.
Wishful thinking is the belief that if you want something to happen, it will.
But wishful thinking is fallible.
Inversion comes from a place of rationality.
Don’t wish something into existence.
Take steps toward your goal.
Inversion isn’t manifesting failure.
You can learn just as much from failure as you would from success.
Inversion addresses the source of the problem.
It’s much less risky than the alternative.
It’s also more effective.
Here’s how to avoid failure with inversion:
You can learn just as much from failure as you would from success.
Inversion addresses the source of the problem.
It’s much less risky than the alternative.
It’s also more effective.
Here’s how to avoid failure with inversion:
Visualize The Goal
First, consider your big goal.
You might be thinking of a big-picture goal, like writing a book or improving your financial literacy.
Your goal can be something a bit smaller too, like nailing a presentation or going on a first date.
Visualize it.
First, consider your big goal.
You might be thinking of a big-picture goal, like writing a book or improving your financial literacy.
Your goal can be something a bit smaller too, like nailing a presentation or going on a first date.
Visualize it.
Consider The Opposite Result
Ask yourself, “If this is my goal, what’s the opposite result?”
Or, “What’s the worst thing that can happen?”
If you’re seeking financial literacy, your answer would be bankruptcy.
If your goal is a great financial proposal, it would be a bad one.
Ask yourself, “If this is my goal, what’s the opposite result?”
Or, “What’s the worst thing that can happen?”
If you’re seeking financial literacy, your answer would be bankruptcy.
If your goal is a great financial proposal, it would be a bad one.
Avoid Failure
Avoid the outcomes you identified in the last tweet.
In the financial literacy example:
• Avoid spending large sums of money
• Save as much as you can, and
• Avoid termination.
Avoid the outcomes you identified in the last tweet.
In the financial literacy example:
• Avoid spending large sums of money
• Save as much as you can, and
• Avoid termination.
In the proposal example:
• Conduct thorough research
• Proofread
• Practice the presentation
• Conduct thorough research
• Proofread
• Practice the presentation
Try A Failure Pre Mortem Exercise
Consider the end result before you begin.
• Think of a goal or achievement you’re aiming for.
• Speed up the time frame.
• Assume you’ve already failed.
What led to your failure?
Identify potential roadblocks.
Prepare for challenges.
Consider the end result before you begin.
• Think of a goal or achievement you’re aiming for.
• Speed up the time frame.
• Assume you’ve already failed.
What led to your failure?
Identify potential roadblocks.
Prepare for challenges.
Try Debbie Millman’s Remarkable Life Vision Exercise.
First, identify the goal.
Then, consider what you’ll need to get there.
Ask yourself, “What steps must be taken?”
Plan your path to success.
Consider the goal’s components.
Prepare for potential setbacks.
Get started.
First, identify the goal.
Then, consider what you’ll need to get there.
Ask yourself, “What steps must be taken?”
Plan your path to success.
Consider the goal’s components.
Prepare for potential setbacks.
Get started.
Inversion is a way to think about decisions.
Avoid failure by identifying areas of difficulty.
Avoid failure by identifying areas of difficulty.
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