Invert area enclosed by a path (not a selection)

When creating a new path in the paths palette, the thumbnail indicates with white, the area enclosed, and with grey, the area excluded. When I create new paths, it keeps indicating 'outside' the path as the area 'enclosed'. I then have to go through a painful process of converting path to selection, selecting inverse, converting selection to path and adjusting the new path to how I want it again.

How do I directly invert the (positive) area selected by the path?

Any advice appreciated!

Look at the little icons on the Options Bar.