Inversion is one of the most powerful, yet simple mental models to uncover things that we normally do not think. It helps us think outside our normal thought patterns and approach problems from a different angle that opens a world of new possibilities that we didn’t know existed.
Inversion provides an objective way to explore the problem by thinking the opposite of what we seek. This form of reverse questioning can help us inquire our own assumptions, beliefs and in turn gain a better perspective to find answers to our original question with greater clarity and understanding.
Our natural mode of thinking looks for answers to:
What can I do to solve this problem?
What should I do to achieve this outcome?
What strategy or process will help me get where I want to be?
How can I succeed in this project?
It’s not natural to think opposite of what we desire when the solution is right in front of us in confirmation with what we believe. Our mind does not seek limitations of our own assumptions unless we put a conscious effort to learn it by inverting the query.
Putting the same questions through inversion model will require us to answer:
What events, behaviour or action can prevent me from solving this problem?
What events, behaviour or action can prevent me from achieving this outcome?
What gaps in strategy or process can stop me to get where I want to be?
How can I fail in this project?