The Regret Minimization Framework

Journalling is often celebrated as a way to process thoughts, track growth, and make sense of life’s choices. But what if you could use your journal not just to reflect on the past, but to actively shape your future and minimize regrets?

Enter the Regret Minimization Framework—a decision-making tool popularized by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, that can transform the way you approach your journalling practice.

What Is the Regret Minimization Framework?

At its core, the Regret Minimization Framework (RMF) is a mental model for making decisions by projecting yourself into the future—often to age 80—and asking: “Looking back, what will I regret not having done?” The goal is to make choices today that your future self will thank you for, reducing the number of regrets you carry later in life.

Bezos famously used this framework when deciding whether to leave his stable Wall Street job to start Amazon. He realized he wouldn’t regret failing, but he would regret never having tried.

And That's often the advice a lot of people give: "Don't end up in a place where you regret not doing something".

Applying the Framework to Journalling

Now, Jadebook has a guided journal with 6 questions helping you apply this framework to your life. But not everyone like's to use a digital journal so let's go through the steps:

1. Project Yourself Forward

When you sit down to journal, imagine your 80-year-old self looking back on your life. What stories, experiences, or risks would you wish you had taken? What moments would you want to remember, and which missed opportunities might haunt you.

2. Reflect on Decisions—Big and Small

Use your journal to explore current dilemmas, both major and minor. Write about the choices you’re facing, then ask: “If I look back decades from now, which path will I wish I’d chosen?” This can help cut through short-term fears and distractions, clarifying what truly matters.

3. Identify Patterns of Regret

Over time, your journal can reveal recurring themes—actions you regret not taking, or moments you wish you’d savored more. Use these insights to guide future decisions, aiming to break cycles of inaction or hesitation.

4. Set Regret-Minimizing Goals

Let your future-focused journalling inform your goals. If your 80-year-old self would regret not traveling, learning a new skill, or expressing love to someone, make those priorities now. Journalling can help you track progress and hold yourself accountable to your regret-minimizing intentions

Why the Framework Works for Journalling

• Long-term: It shifts your focus from daily anxieties to what will matter most in the long run. It provides you with direction in life, and direction is super important.
• Decision-Making Clarity: By visualizing your future self, you can make choices aligned with your deepest values, not just immediate comfort or fear.
• Motivation to Act: The fear of future regret can be a powerful motivator, pushing you to take bold steps and live more fully

Example Journal Prompts Using RMF

Jadebook also has `Prompted Journals` which is when you write on a question. This is for those that don't want to use the Guided Journal or you just want to go through this framework once.

• “If I were 80, what would I wish I had done more of this year?”
• “What am I afraid to try, but know I’d regret not attempting?”
• “Looking back, what small daily actions would add up to a life with fewer regrets?”

Final Thoughts

The Regret Minimization Framework isn’t just for billionaires making career-defining choices—it’s a practical, compassionate tool for anyone who wants to live more intentionally. By weaving this framework into your journalling, you can make decisions today that your future self will look back on with pride, not regret. As you fill the pages of your journal, let your 80-year-old self be your guide, helping you write a story worth remembering.