Hindsight, Foresight, and the Courage to Decide

“With age comes the ability to see the consequences of your actions before they happen”

We’ve all had those moments—an opportunity appears, tempting and bright, and we make a choice. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. Later, looking back, the outcome seems obvious. Hindsight is 20/20. We say, “If only I had known…” and marvel at how clear everything seems after the fact. But what if we could train ourselves to see with that clarity before the decision is made?

I’ve learned over a lifetime that the difference between regret and satisfaction often comes down to balance—the balance between fear, judgment, and the wisdom of counsel. Fear isn’t something to ignore; it’s a guide. It sharpens your awareness and forces you to question your assumptions. But unchecked, fear can paralyze, convincing you to avoid opportunities that are genuinely worthwhile. Judgment tempers fear—it’s your ability to weigh facts, anticipate outcomes, and recognize patterns based on experience.

Mentors and advisors play an essential role in this process, especially when you’re younger. A good mentor doesn’t tell you what to do; they help you see angles you can’t yet recognize, highlight blind spots, and encourage you to imagine outcomes you might not have considered. They give you guidance without taking away your power to choose.

The beauty of aging is that your ability to make the right choices strengthens over time. As you experience more situations, the lessons accumulate. You learn when to lean on counsel and when to trust your own judgment. Your need for mentors may remain, but your capacity to integrate their lessons and act decisively grows. You begin to make decisions that feel grounded, informed, and intuitive all at once.

Hindsight may be 20/20, but foresight—tempered by insight, shaped by experience, and guided by trusted voices—is the real advantage. Surround yourself with people who challenge and expand your thinking, respect your own instincts, weigh the risks, and step forward with confidence. The choices you make today, informed by all you’ve learned and all you have yet to learn, are the ones your future self will thank you for.