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Why reverse planning works
Forward planning rewards optimism. Reverse planning forces specificity — the outcome has to be real enough to walk back from.
The method
- 1
Describe the finish line in concrete sensory detail
- 2
Ask AI: what had to be true 30 days before this happened
- 3
Repeat for 90 days, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years
- 4
For each milestone, list the single action that unlocks the next
- 5
Schedule the very first action this week
Worked example: ship a book in 12 months
- Month 12 — printed copies arrive at your door
- Month 10 — final manuscript with editor
- Month 8 — full draft complete
- Month 4 — outline locked, first three chapters drafted
- This week — write the opening paragraph
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