I use a regret minimization framework: which choice will I regret most if I don't do it? Some choices I've made are definitely life altering: getting married in

I use a regret minimization framework: which choice will I regret most if I don't do it? Some choices I've made are definitely life altering: getting married in my early 20s, moving far away from family. Some choices that seemed life altering at the time didn't turn out to be so : going to school at X, starting a company, etc. If you are concerned a lot about the road not traveled, ask yourself what you will do if Plan X does not work out. Having a good backup plan can make life altering decisions a little less scary : relationships don't work out, your startup flames out, the things you actually want at 30 aren't what you thought you would want at 30.