The regret minimization framework

Jeff Bezos is apparently known for doing stuff that he’d later regret not doing.

If you can project yourself out to age 80 and sort of think, ‘What will I think at that time?’ it gets you away from some of the daily pieces of confusion

Jeff Bezos

So here’s what you do. When you’re faced with a tough decision, picture yourself in the future looking back on it. Whichever one you’d regret not choosing, that’s the one you should choose.

I know, this must be the most self evident mental model in existence, but it’s a thing. And despite my initial “Are you kidding me? That’s it?” response, it’s been growing on me. The “daily pieces of confusion” can be brutal, and all self-help boils down to “choose long-term over short-term.”

It also pairs well with knowing your core values. My values are growth and joy, and I probably won’t regret any choices that increase either of those two things in my life.

So what’s a big decision you’re up against? Which choice would 80-year-old you regret making?