The 10-Year Regret Test
Ask: in ten years, if I didn't even try this, would I regret it? A yes means pursue it
- Difficulty
- Starter
- Time to result
- ~days to results
- Steps
- 3
- Confidence
- 85%
A decision tool for whether to pursue a passion. Forleo, at 24 with no dance training but dance 'in her body and soul', asked: 'if at 34 I look back and did not at least try to make dance part of my career, will I regret it?' The answer was hell yes — so she started taking classes and teaching fitness, which led to becoming a Nike dance athlete and, crucially, gave her brand a unique flavour years later. The test cuts through the fear of committing to something unproven: you're not asking 'will this succeed?' but 'will not-trying haunt me?' A regret-yes is a signal to pursue, even without training or a clear payoff.
Origin
Forleo applied the test to dance at 24, and the experiences it unlocked (Nike athlete, fitness videos) later became the distinctive ingredients of her coaching brand.
Core principles
- 01Decide by future regret, not by likelihood of success.
- 02'Would not-trying haunt me?' is the question.
- 03A regret-yes justifies pursuit even without credentials.
- 04Seemingly off-path experiences become unique brand ingredients.
How to run it
- 1
Project ten years forward
Imagine looking back from ten years out at not having tried the thing.
- 2
Ask if you'd regret not trying
Answer honestly whether never even attempting it would be a regret.
Pro tip Frame it as 'at least try', not 'succeed'.
- 3
Pursue on a regret-yes
If yes, start pursuing it even without training or a guaranteed return.
Pro tip Off-path experiences often become the unique ingredients that differentiate you later.
In the wild
Untrained but drawn to dance, Forleo passed the 10-year test, took classes, taught fitness, and became a Nike dance athlete.
→ The experience gave her brand a uniqueness that made her coaching business richer and different.
Common mistakes
Deciding on odds of success alone
Refusing to try because success isn't guaranteed ignores the regret you'll carry for never attempting something you cared about.
Is it for you?
Best for
Anyone hesitating over an unproven passion or side pursuit.
Not ideal for
Reckless bets that would cause real harm regardless of future regret.
From the transcript
“if when you're 34 and you look back and you did not at least try to make dance a part of your career will you…”
From the episode
World Leading Life Coach: 3 Steps To Figuring Out ANYTHING You Want: Marie Forleo
World Leading Life Coach