Thinking forward is an automatic process. Cause, then effect. Input, then output. A to B. It feels logical—and normal to start with a conclusion, then find justification around it. But we can always take our thinking a step further. Sometimes, the best way to get the answers you want is to think backwards. It’s called mental inversion. Turn the whole thinking process upside down. As the great algebraist Carl Jacobi said, “Invert, always invert.”

Put another way, “What would guarantee I fail at X?” is a better question than “How do I achieve X?” Most people focus on the obvious process because the brain doesn’t like to think through ugly pitfalls. Starting from B to A helps you avoid the results you don’t want. It’s one of the most powerful tools I use to think clearly.

To turn your decis

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