The Takeoff
Albert Einstein was not simply a transformative genius in physics; his brilliance was also manifested in his ability to solve problems and foster creative innovation. One of his most enigmatic and ingenious methods was “reverse thinking,” a technique of starting by imagining the final solution and working backward to trace the path.
This strategy, which may once have been seen as a quirk of genius, has proven invaluable in fields as diverse as business, sports, technology, and art. What exactly is “reverse thinking”? How has it impacted different sectors of society and how can you apply it in your daily life?
We invite you to embark on an exploratory journey, where we will delve into this revolutionary technique that has left an indelible mark on multiple fields. Let’s see how Einstein’s approach, which transcends science, can guide you towards innovative and transformative solutions. Are you ready to discover how you can apply inverse thinking in your own life?
If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask. Once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.
Albert Einstein
Deep Navigation
What is Reverse Thinking?
Reverse thinking is a creative and highly effective technique that starts with a defined end result and works backwards to discover the steps necessary to achieve it. Instead of following a linear and predictable path to a solution, this technique invites you to explore the problem from its completion.
Application in Einstein’s Work
Albert Einstein not only applied this approach in his mathematical equations but also in abstract concepts such as the theory of relativity. Einstein’s phrase, “I never think of the future, only of the present. The future will be determined by what we do in the present,” encapsulates this approach. We can find evidence of this methodology in his notebooks and correspondences, where he often broke down complex ideas into manageable parts.
In his book “Out of My Later Years” (Philosophical Library, 1950), Einstein talks about his creative process and how he approached problems.
Walter Isaacson’s biography “Einstein: His Life and Universe” (Simon & Schuster, 2007) discusses how Einstein applied non-linear thinking.
Relationship to Other Creative Approaches
Inverse thinking is not just a stand-alone method; it intertwines and complements various problem-solving strategies. It is especially linked to Edward de Bono’s lateral thinking, where instead of following a logical and direct route, alternative solutions are explored by “going sideways”. A vivid example of this is how Einstein arrived at the theory of relativity; not by the conventional path, but through a lateral approach of imagining traveling at the speed of light.
In addition, inverse thinking is associated with backwards-forwards analysis, a process in which one looks into the future and then returns to the present repeatedly to plot the correct path. Einstein did this by first visualizing his complete theories and then analyzing the way back. This methodology allows you to see the big picture, find creative solutions that a traditional approach might not reveal, and attack problems from new and refreshing angles.
These methods are interconnected in their pursuit of innovation and creative resolution, offering diverse tools to address complex challenges. Through the combination and application of these techniques, new ground can be broken in areas as varied as science, business, art and more.
Additional sources that delve into these approaches include the article “Einstein’s Creative Thinking Process: A Fresh Look at Einstein’s Thinking” (Physics Today, 1976), which examines links to lateral thinking, and Liljana Arsovski in “Backward-Forward Thinking” (Journal of Education and Learning, 2014), which discusses the relationship to backwards-forwards analysis.
Contemporary Benefits and Applications
Beyond science, this technique has found its way into fields such as business and technology, where breaking down a problem into manageable parts and visualizing the end result can open up new avenues for innovation and creativity.
Livnat and Levin in “Thinking backwards and forwards” (Journal of Higher Education, 1975) study applications in business.
Price and Price in “Teaching futures fluency through scenario planning and science fiction prototyping” (World Futures Review, 2020) analyze uses in technology.
Reflection on Practice
Reverse thinking is not only a strategy for solving complex problems; it is also a philosophy that promotes open-mindedness, questioning, and unrestricted exploration of possibilities. Today, this way of thinking is taught in educational programs and creativity workshops as a vital skill for critical thinking and problem solving.
Kandasamy and Shah in “Reversing Thinking: An Out-Of-The-Box Thinking Technique” (Advances in Management, 2021) reflect on the value of this technique.
Application Trail
Business and Entrepreneurship
Fujitsu: The Japanese company visualized the practical uses of humanoid robots in real life before working on their technical development. Source: Fujitsu case study “Human Centric AI Design of Humanoid Robots.”
Netflix: Applied this technique in the production of “Stranger Things,” starting with the final concept of the series. Source: Vulture interview “The Duffer Brothers on Creating Stranger Things’ Upside Down For Season Two.”
Richard Branson at Virgin: He envisioned his companies’ success first before working backwards. Source: Richard Branson’s autobiography “Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune”.
High Performance Sports
Coaches and Athletes: Use visualization and reverse thinking to improve performance and devise winning strategies.
Education
Students and Teachers: Encourage creativity, problem solving and cognitive skills, allowing to visualize effective presentations or creative solutions to educational challenges.
The Arts
Disney: Applies inverse thinking in the design of its theme parks.
Steven Spielberg: Imagined entire scenes of “Jaws” before filming, capturing the suspense and terror. Steven Spielberg used reverse thinking in Jaws by first imagining iconic scenes such as the girl being attacked in the water. He then worked backwards to determine how to film these scenes to elicit maximum suspense and terror in the audience. Source: Steven Spielberg biography “Steven Spielberg: A Life in Films” by Molly Haskell.
Joanne Harris: He devised the entire plot of “Chocolat” by reverse thinking before writing it. Source: Interview in The Guardian “Joanne Harris relives the Chocolat magic”.
Camille Claudel: Mentally sketched the final sculpture before working the clay. Source: Article in Sculpture Review “Camille Claudel: Solitude and Solidarity”.
Enterprise and Technology.
Product and Service Development: Companies innovate quickly by first imagining the success of their products or services.
Personal Life and Planning
Personal Goals and Overcoming Challenges: Imagining a goal achieved allows to draw action plans to achieve it, helping in long term planning.
Application of Reverse Thinking in “Jaws”
Reverse thinking has been an effective tool in the film industry, particularly in the creation of suspense and horror sequences. An emblematic example is the use of this technique by Steven Spielberg in “Jaws”.
Spielberg began by imagining shocking scenes such as the girl being attacked in the water, and then worked backwards to determine how to film these scenes and provoke maximum suspense and terror in the audience. The scene of the attack on the girl, for example, was constructed using a mix of long and close-up shots, creating a building tension that culminates in the shark attack.
Some other applications of this technique in “Jaws” include:
Filming the attack on Chrissie Watkins’ boat from the shark’s perspective, immersing the audience in the terror of the scene.
Using slow motion in the attack on Brody’s boat, intensifying the sense of terror by showing every detail.
Employing a drone in the final battle scene with the shark, offering a unique perspective that heightens the suspense.
Spielberg’s skill in the use of reverse thinking contributed to making “Jaws” a timeless film, where the audience still feels captivated and terrified. The technique allowed him not only to visualize the desired outcome, but also to chart a creative and efficient path to achieve it, creating some of the most iconic sequences in the history of cinema.
Destination Harbor
Navigating to Success
Mental Map: Reverse thinking acts as a map that guides you from your desired destination to your starting point, like an invaluable compass for navigating through obstacles and finding creative solutions.
Following Einstein’s Steps: The wisdom of Einstein, who said: “I never think about the future, only the present. The future will be determined by what we do in the present,” urges us to visualize success before embarking on the journey.
Related Approaches
Lateral Thinking and Backwards-Forwards Analysis: By combining the technique with these approaches, new dimensions of creativity and thinking can be explored, strengthening the ability to face complex challenges.
Practical Life Application
Planning and Problem Solving: Whether in personal or professional projects, this technique can be your guide in life’s journey and in missions such as Harmony Atlas.
Enhancing Creativity: Enriches the creative process, allowing for a deeper exploration of ideas and solutions.
Final Reflection
s Einstein said, “the distinction between past, present and future is only an illusion”. Reverse thinking helps us to break with linearity and open up to new possibilities, aligning with philosophical positions such as phenomenology and Kierkegaard’s view of time.
Visualize and Step Back: The next time you face a challenge, visualize that you have already succeeded in detail. Then walk step-by-step backwards to your starting point, creating the roadmap to success.
Unleash the Power of your Mind: With this compass, you can navigate the road less traveled, the one that leads to your extraordinary goals. The future awaits you, and this technique offers you a powerful tool to achieve it.
Knowledge Map
Books:
- Walter Isaacson, Einstein: His Life and Universe. Simon & Schuster, 2007.
- Michael Michalko, Creative Thinkering: Putting your Imagination to Work. New World Library, 2011.
