---
description: Solve problems backwards - what would guarantee failure?
argument-hint: [goal or leave blank for current context]
---
Apply inversion thinking to $ARGUMENTS (or the current discussion if no arguments provided).
Instead of asking "How do I succeed?", ask "What would guarantee failure?" then avoid those things.
1. State the goal or desired outcome
2. Invert: "What would guarantee I fail at this?"
3. List all failure modes (be thorough and honest)
4. For each failure mode, identify the avoidance strategy
5. Build success plan by systematically avoiding failure
**Goal:** [what success looks like]
**Guaranteed Failure Modes:**
1. [Way to fail]: Avoid by [specific action]
2. [Way to fail]: Avoid by [specific action]
3. [Way to fail]: Avoid by [specific action]
**Anti-Goals (Never Do):**
- [Behavior to eliminate]
- [Behavior to eliminate]
**Success By Avoidance:**
By simply not doing [X, Y, Z], success becomes much more likely because...
**Remaining Risk:**
[What's left after avoiding obvious failures]
- Failure modes are specific and realistic
- Avoidance strategies are actionable
- Surfaces risks that optimistic planning misses
- Creates clear "never do" boundaries
- Shows path to success via negativa