Inversion: The Counterintuitive Way to Solve Complex Problems
What if the key to solving problems is not in what you’re doing, but in what you’re NOT doing?
That’s ‘Inversion’, a powerful mental model used by smart thinkers like Charlie Munger & Carl Jacobi that will change the way you think. 🧠
Lately I’ve been really intrigued by the idea of inverting your perspective to look at what’s missing, not just what’s present.
Instead of just looking at something head on, you flip it and consider the opposite case — the gaps, flaws, omissions. It forces you to think more critically and broadly.
For example, when evaluating insurance policies, most people naturally focus on the obvious things like coverage, deductibles, network size, etc. But that conventional “what already exists” framing can cause you to miss crucial factors buried in the absence.
By asking “what’s NOT here?”, you actively scrutinize the blindspots, pitfalls, exclusions that could actually be decisive.
Maybe a policy lacks coverage for important situations. Or it’s filled with annoying limitations buried in the fine print. These gaps could be make-or-break, but you’d easily overlook them if you only focused on the explicit inclusions.
This inverted “what’s missing?” lens is so illuminating beyond just comparing products too. Like with job opportunities — you shouldn’t just hone in on the comp and the benefits. Rather, you should also suss out missing elements like lack of autonomy, misaligned cultures, etc.
Or when evaluating people, relationships, jobs — anything really — zeroing in on the absences can be incredibly rewarding. The things someone doesn’t say can speak volumes about their mindset. Skills or experiences missing from a resume could hint at bigger opportunity gaps.
Of course, this isn’t an argument for total fixation on negatives or deficiencies. A healthy perspective requires balancing what is there and what isn’t. It’s about adding that crucial second lens rather than discarding the first one.
Inversion is counterintuitive because we’re biased to fixate on the proverbial “glass half full.” Looking for gaps and negatives doesn’t come naturally. But it’s an essential counterweight for seeing the complete picture before making any important choice.
You can’t rely on just one view.
In many ways, human progress stems from our ability to perceive voids and strive to fill them. The absences in our knowledge and capabilities have fueled our greatest ambitions and insights throughout history.
So while solely fixating on the ‘lacks’ breeds unhappiness, the conscious practice of examining “what’s not there” opens up frontiers.
Think optimistically AND pessimistically, simultaneously.
Appreciate the strengths, but scrutinize the weaknesses with equal vigor. It’s a powerful pairing.
In a world that rewards surface-level thinking, a willingness to ponder the ‘lacking’ space unlocks clarity. It’s a refreshing way to resist restrictive blinders.
Genius often lies in the things we’re overlooking and lacking, not just the obvious factors staring us in the face.
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