Inversion Principle

What it is:

When to use it:

• When stuck on a tough decision or complex problem.

• When avoiding catastrophic mistakes is more important than achieving perfection.

• When facing uncertainty and need clarity on worst-case scenarios.

How to apply it:

1. Define the goal. → “How can I succeed at [goal]?”

2. Invert the question. → “What would guarantee failure?”

3. List failure points. → Identify mistakes, biases, or blind spots.

4. Avoid & mitigate them. → Eliminate paths that lead to failure first.

Examples:

1. Investing & Finance
• Instead of “How do I build wealth?” → Ask “How do I go broke?”
• Mistakes to avoid: Taking excessive risks, not diversifying, chasing hype stocks, ignoring financial discipline.

2. Health & Fitness
• Instead of “How do I get fit?” → Ask “How do I ruin my health?”
• Mistakes to avoid: Eating junk, skipping exercise, sleeping late, ignoring stress.

3. Time Management & Productivity
• Instead of “How do I get more done?” → Ask “How do I waste my time?”
• Mistakes to avoid: Checking social media too often, multitasking, overcommitting, lacking priorities.

4. Decision-Making
• Instead of “How do I make good decisions?” → Ask “How do I ensure bad decisions?”
• Mistakes to avoid: Acting emotionally, ignoring data, following the herd, not considering second-order effects.

5. Business & Leadership
• Instead of “How do I build a strong company?” → Ask “How do I destroy a company?”
• Mistakes to avoid: Ignoring customer feedback, bad hiring, micromanaging, losing focus, reckless expansion.

6. Relationships & Trust
• Instead of “How do I strengthen relationships?” → Ask “How do I destroy trust?”
• Mistakes to avoid: Lying, breaking promises, not listening, being unreliable, taking people for granted.

7. Public Speaking & Communication
• Instead of “How do I become a good speaker?” → Ask “How do I give a terrible speech?”
• Mistakes to avoid: Speaking without preparation, lacking clarity, ignoring the audience, rambling too much.

8. Career Growth & Learning
• Instead of “How do I advance in my career?” → Ask “How do I ensure career stagnation?”
• Mistakes to avoid: Resisting change, not upgrading skills, avoiding feedback, not networking, staying in a comfort zone.

Key Takeaway: