---
user-invocable: true
name: inversion
description: Solve problems by thinking backward - what would cause failure?
tokens: ~250
cloud-ok: true
---

# Inversion
#claudeai

## The Framework

Instead of asking "How do I succeed?", ask **"How would I fail?"**

Then avoid those things.

**Why it works:**
- Failure modes are often clearer than success factors
- It's easier to avoid stupidity than achieve brilliance
- Removes blind spots from positive-only thinking

## How to Use

### Step 1: State your goal
"I want to [achieve X]"

### Step 2: Invert the question
"How would I guarantee failure at X?"
"What would definitely prevent X?"

### Step 3: List the failure modes
Be thorough. What would definitely make this fail?

### Step 4: Invert again
Now you have a list of what NOT to do.
Avoid these, and success becomes more likely.

## Example

**Goal:** Build a successful startup

**Inverted question:** How would I guarantee my startup fails?

**Failure modes:**
- Run out of money
- Build something nobody wants
- Co-founder conflict
- Can't hire good people
- Ignore customer feedback
- Move too slowly
- Give up too early

**Inverted to success rules:**
- Manage cash carefully, always know runway
- Validate before building
- Choose co-founders carefully, communicate constantly
- Make hiring a priority
- Talk to customers obsessively
- Ship fast, iterate
- Commit for the long haul

## Output Format

```
## Inversion: [Goal]

**Goal:** [What you want to achieve]

**Inverted:** How would I guarantee failure?

**Failure modes:**
1. [Way to fail]
2. [Way to fail]
3. [Way to fail]
4. [Way to fail]
5. [Way to fail]

**Inverted to rules:**
1. [Avoid/do opposite of #1]
2. [Avoid/do opposite of #2]
3. [Avoid/do opposite of #3]
4. [Avoid/do opposite of #4]
5. [Avoid/do opposite of #5]

**Biggest risk to avoid:**
[The failure mode most likely for you]
```

## Charlie Munger's Version

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I'll never go there."

Identify the disasters, then steer clear.

## Combine With

- **Premortem:** Inversion focused on a specific decision
- **Second-order thinking:** What are downstream failure modes?
- **Five whys:** Why would each failure mode happen?

---

*"It is remarkable how much long-term advantage people like us have gotten by trying to be consistently not stupid, instead of trying to be very intelligent."* — Charlie Munger