DiscoverCuriosity ChronicleBlack Coffee Theory
Black Coffee Theory

Black Coffee Theory

Update: 2026-04-10
Share

Description

A few weeks ago, I shared a piece on my ​Anti-To-Do List​ and the general merits of using inversion to improve your life.


The idea was straightforward:

  1. Write down what you want to avoid doing.
  2. Avoid doing those things.

I've gotten a lot of value from using inversion like this as a tool to provide clarity on my actions and avoid painful mistakes.


As the late Charlie Munger famously said, "All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I'll never go there."


But a few readers replied with an interesting question:


Doesn't focusing on what you don't want make you more likely to get it?


This raises an important point that I've never addressed directly...


•••

This episode brought to you by:

  • DeleteMe - DeleteMe makes it quick, easy, and safe to remove your personal data online. 
  • Origin Financial - Your personal AI Financial Advisor. Track your spending, investments, and net worth—all in one place.
  • Innerbody Labs - A Higher Standard. After reviewing thousands of health products, we built formulas we wished existed.
  • Lemon - The Al agent that turns your voice instructions into finished tasks.
Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Black Coffee Theory

Black Coffee Theory

Sahil Bloom