What Not to Do: Using Inversion and Anti-Vision to Make Rapid Progress

Projekt Rattloch — Week 1 🐀🕳️

I used to think my problem was not doing enough. More exhibitions, more projects, more social posts, more creative output. The outside looked good…plenty of activity, some real successes, amazing experiences along the way.

But I was exhausted. Still self-sabotaging. Still not making a living as an artist.

Then I learned about the inversion technique from WWII aircraft analysis. Engineers studied bullet holes on returning planes to decide where to add extra armour. Most damage was on the wings and fuselage, that seemed obvious. Until Abraham Wald pointed out they were studying the wrong thing entirely, they needed to armour where there were no holes, because planes hit in those areas never made it back.

I've been ignoring what's killing my progress. Week 1 of Projekt Rattloch changes that: examining the invisible damage, the autopilot behaviours that sabotage everything else I'm trying to build.

“It is not enough to think about how to get what you want. You must also think about what you want to avoid.”
— Charlie Munger

I’m studying my own self-sabotage—and choosing to avoid those things…

• Compulsive overeating to numb emotion

• Unplanned Instagram ad creation

• Binge-buying courses and AI tools

• Spending hours on my laptop without moving my body

• Mindlessly applying to art open calls

• Constantly checking email and social media

• Using my phone right before bed

• Checking my phone first thing as I wake

• Habitually telling myself I have no time

There’s more. There’s always more.
Not all of it’s art-related, but it’s in my head, draining my energy, hijacking my focus.

Since we’re talking about inversion,

DAN KOE

talks about having an anti-vision, a version of your life you want to avoid, here’s mine:

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Anti-Vision: (10 years into the future).

I’m 53 and still clinging to the idea of becoming a full-time artist, but the dream’s calcified. Success feels close, but I’m really no closer. I’m 140lbs overweight, bitter, and exhausted. My knees hurt if I walk more than five minutes. I’ve dumped thousands into open calls and art competitions, and I’m broke. Meanwhile, my salary crawled up a measly 10% over a decade while the company racks in record profits. My kidney transplant is at under 40% function from neglecting my health. I’m furious. With myself. With the world. With life.

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It pains me to think about that…

I’m not pretending to have all of the answers in week 1. I’m just fed up with having a loose direction and avoiding the truth. The list of what I’m doing to sabotage progress isn’t comprehensive, but it’s honest. And for once, I’m starting there instead of reaching for another quick fix or shiny new tool.

Next Monday, I’ll report back on what happened.

I once sent Zandra Rhodes a tin of beans as an exhibition invite with a note: “I’ve bean working up the courage to invite you to my exhibition”.

I will now call these moments Schnellschuss. Quick shots. Spontaneous, strange, intentional, random.

I’ve been doing things like this for years: spontaneous, slightly absurd gestures, and I rarely know their impact. But they’re fun, and they usually leave behind a good story. So I’ll keep doing them.

And speaking of stories:

Memento Vivere. Opening night.
44 tickets already reserved.

Max capacity is 120—but factoring in the usual 50–60% no-shows, we need to aim higher: 240–264 tickets to fill the room.
We’re currently at 18.33% reserved.

Memento Vivere is a key piece of the strategy. I plan to sell all 24 artworks exhibited. So I’ll be adding more structure to make that outcome a certainty.

Each week in Projekt Rattloch, I’ll share both the plan for the week ahead and a reflection on what’s happened.
It’s going to be tighter, sharper…none of the loose, meandering weekly art practice of the past.

Income goal: £5,000/month.
That’s the number that changes everything.
No more guessing.
I’m building now. The blueprint drops next Monday.

For my own clarity:

• Invert: Avoid doing the things on my list.

• Create: My income blueprint.

• Email: local businesses, to fill the room at Memento Vivere.

Wish me luck,

SLART

P.S. This will be part of it… https://stan.store/slart WIP.