23/06/2026
Ever heard of Inversion Theory?
Popularised by Charlie Munger and embraced by successful thinkers including Warren Buffett, inversion turns problem-solving on its head.
Instead of asking:
"How do I succeed?"
It asks:
"What could cause me to fail?"
"What mistakes should I avoid?"
"What risks haven't I considered?"
Charlie Munger famously said:
"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I'll never go there."
The idea isn't new. Similar thinking can be traced back to the Stoics, who practised premeditatio malorum, imagining potential challenges in advance so they could meet them with wisdom rather than panic.
This approach is used in business, medicine, aviation, engineering and many other fields where anticipating problems helps prevent them.
So, if you're someone who naturally asks, "What could go wrong?" before making a decision, that doesn't necessarily mean you're being negative.
There is a difference between anxiety that keeps us stuck and thoughtful preparation that helps us move forward with confidence.
We all think differently.
Some people visualise success.
Others identify obstacles and plan around them.
Neither approach is inherently better.
If your way of thinking helps you make better decisions and navigate life more effectively, perhaps it doesn't need fixing after all.
There are many ways to navigate life.
Sometimes the goal isn't to change how you think, but to understand yourself well enough to use your mind wisely.
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Gia Jon
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