Why Thinking Forward Might Be Holding You Back

When setting goals, we naturally think forward. We ask questions like:

• How can I succeed?
• How can I be more productive?
• How can I become a better leader?

While these are valuable questions, they might not always be the fastest path to improvement. I’ve been working with a client at Berkshire Hathaway who frequently references Charlie Munger, a strong advocate of inversion thinking—or thinking backwards.

Instead of asking, “What should I do?”, try asking:

• What would lead me to fail?
• What’s holding me back?
• What behaviours would make me a bad leader?

By identifying what not to do, we often find the right path more quickly and with greater clarity.

Applying Inverted Thinking to Professional Growth

Want to Be More Productive?

Instead of asking, “How do I get more done?”, ask, “What makes me unproductive?” 

• Answer: Distractions, multitasking, lack of clear goals.
• Solution: Remove distractions first, then optimise workflow.

Want to Improve Leadership Skills?

Instead of asking, “How do I lead better?”, ask, “What makes a bad leader?” 

• Answer: Micromanagement, lack of empathy, ignoring feedback.
• Solution: Eliminate these behaviours before adding leadership strategies.

Want to Strengthen Emotional Intelligence (EQ)?

Instead of asking, “How can I be more emotionally intelligent?”, ask, “What weakens my EQ?” 

• Answer: Reacting instead of responding, avoiding feedback, ignoring emotions.
• Solution: Develop self-awareness, seek feedback, and manage emotional triggers. (Get a coach!)

Why This Works

1. Prevents Self-Sabotage – Avoiding failure is often easier than chasing success.

2. Enhances Self-Awareness – A core pillar of Emotional Intelligence.

3. Leads to Faster Growth – Less trial and error, more intentional progress.

Next time you’re stuck, try thinking backwards. What’s holding you back? What should you avoid? The answers might just propel you forward faster than you ever imagined.