Invert, always invert. Many hard problems are best solved by asking: what would guarantee failure? Avoid that, and success becomes far more likely than if you'd chased it directly.

Invert, always invert. Many hard problems are best solved when you turn them around in reverse. It is not enough to think about what you want — think equally hard about what you want to avoid, and you will find that removing stupidity is often more valuable than adding brilliance.

Invert, always invert. Many hard problems are best solved when you turn them around in reverse. It is not enough to think about what you want to achieve — ask yourself what would guarantee failure, then avoid it.

Invert, always invert: Turn a situation or problem upside down. Look at it backwards. What happens if all our plans go wrong? Where do we not want to go, and how do you get there? Instead of asking how to succeed, ask how to guarantee failure—then avoid it.