Inversion is a powerful mental model that asks us to look at a problem backward. Instead of asking "How can I achieve success?", inversion asks, "How can I ensure failure?" and then teaches us to avoid those things.

The mathematician Carl Jacobi often said, "Invert, always invert."

For example, if you want to improve your productivity, instead of looking for new apps or routines, ask yourself: "What are the things that completely destroy my productivity?"

• Doom-scrolling social media in bed.
• Checking email every 5 minutes.
• Not having a clear plan for the day.

By simply avoiding the things that guarantee failure, you automatically move closer to success. Inversion helps you uncover hidden obstacles that you wouldn't see if you only looked at the problem from the forward direction.