I Almost Took the Safe Path After Medical University. Then I Asked Myself This One Question… (Part 1 of the Decision Making Frameworks)
Constantine Koptelov
I help business owners create more time in their schedules so they can scale, focus on strategy and enjoy the finer things in life with their family and friends. MBA, TEDx speaker, and author of 4 books.
It was the spring of my final year at medical university, and I was facing what felt like the most consequential decision of my life.
Three distinct paths lay before me, each with its own promise and peril:
First, I could accept the prestigious PhD offer from my university, setting me on a clear trajectory toward becoming a professor — the safe, respected academic route many of my mentors were subtly nudging me toward.
Second, I could return to my hometown, where the director position at the local pharmacy was virtually guaranteed. My family beamed at the prospect of my return, and the role offered immediate status and stability.
Third, I could risk everything to pursue a position in clinical trials in the capital city — the option with the slimmest odds but potentially the most rewarding outcomes. No connections, no guarantees, just ambition and determination.
As I agonized over these choices, a framework from an unlikely source would ultimately transform my approach to this life-altering decision.
The Wisdom from an E-Commerce Pioneer
In 1994, a Wall Street executive named Jeff Bezos faced his own pivotal moment. The internet was exploding with potential, and he had an idea for an online bookstore. Should he abandon his successful financial career for a risky startup in a nascent industry?
To make this monumental decision, Bezos developed what he later called the "Regret Minimization Framework" — a mental model that would help him see beyond immediate fears to what would truly matter in the long run.
The framework poses one crucial question: "When I'm 80 years old, looking back on my life, will I regret not taking this opportunity?"
Applying the Framework to My Medical Crossroads
Sitting in my dormitory room, surrounded by textbooks and half-packed boxes, I decided to try Bezos's approach. I closed my eyes and imagined myself at 80, looking back on this moment from the twilight of my life.
From that perspective, the comfortable hometown pharmacy position felt like a retreat from challenge. The academic path, while prestigious, seemed motivated more by others' expectations than my own passion.
But the clinical trials position in the capital? When viewed through the lens of my 80-year-old self, not attempting this path felt like a story left untold, a challenge unmet.
"I knew that if I failed in the capital, I wouldn't regret that," I realized. "But I knew with absolute certainty I would regret never having tried."
The Science Behind Regret-Based Decision Making
My intuition aligned with research in behavioral psychology. Studies show that people are more likely to regret actions not taken than actions that failed. This "regret of inaction" tends to intensify over time, while the sting of failure typically fades.
Dr. Thomas Gilovich's research at Cornell University found that when people look back on their lives, 75% of their regrets come from not taking action, rather than from actions that didn't work out as planned.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Regret-Proof Decisions
Here's how you can apply this framework to your next big decision:
Create Distance Begin by mentally projecting yourself decades into the future. Imagine yourself at 80, looking back on this moment. This temporal distance helps bypass immediate emotional reactions and access your deeper wisdom.
Ask the Critical Questions
Analyze the Worst-Case Scenario Map out the absolute worst outcome. Often, you'll find that:
Create Your Safety Net
Make the Decision If you've determined you'd regret not trying, and the worst-case scenario is survivable, move forward decisively.
When to Use This Framework (And When Not To)
The Regret Minimization Framework works best for:
It's less suitable for:
Making It Work for You
Start small. Before your next meaningful decision, try this exercise:
Beyond Regret Minimization
The 80-Year-Old Test helped me make the bold choice to pursue clinical trials in the capital, despite the uncertainty and challenges ahead. But this was just the beginning of my journey through powerful decision frameworks.
Coming next: In our second article of the Decision Making Frameworks, I'll share the unexpected framework that helped me navigate a critical pivot point two years into my clinical trials career — a method that completely changed how I evaluate risk and opportunity. This lesser-known approach might be exactly what you need for the complex decisions you're facing right now.
Until then, I invite you to try the Regret Minimization Framework on a decision you're currently facing. What would your 80-year-old self advise you to do? The answer might surprise you — and it might just change your life.
And don’t forget to send this article to a person who needs it, and share your thoughts and insights in comments!