Episode 1164: Parul Somani - The Path of Least Regret: Intentional Living

In this episode of The Hidden Why, I sit down with Parul Somani, an MIT and Harvard Business School graduate, cancer survivor, speaker, and author of The Path of Least Regret.   Parul shares the powerful story behind her framework, born during one of the most uncertain and traumatic moments of her life. Shortly after giving birth to her second daughter, she was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. Faced with difficult medical decisions and no guaranteed outcomes, Parul realised that data and logic alone were not enough.   Instead of asking, "What is the perfect decision?" she began asking: "What is my path of least regret?" This conversation explores how regret can become a forward-looking compass rather than a burden from the past. Parul's framework offers a practical way to navigate uncertainty, make values-aligned decisions, and move through life with greater clarity, courage, and peace of mind.       Parul shares her experience with a cancer diagnosis and how it profoundly reshaped her approach to decision-making and living with intention. She explores why most of us are rarely taught how to make meaningful life decisions and explains the difference between chasing certainty and choosing peace of mind. Parul discusses how regret, when used wisely, can become a powerful guide for intentional living and introduces the five phases of her Path of Least Regret framework: Awareness, Processing, Exploration, Decision, and Adaptation.   Throughout the conversation, she explains why both rushing decisions and becoming trapped in analysis paralysis can lead to regret, and highlights the importance of pausing, reflecting, and creating space to think clearly. Parul also shares how life audits, personal values, and trusted "boards of advisors" can support better decision-making, while demonstrating how reflecting on past regrets can reveal what truly matters. Ultimately, she emphasizes that self-care, presence, and spending meaningful time on what matters most are essential ingredients for creating a life with fewer regrets and greater fulfillment.     Key Topics Discussed: Regret is human; the goal is not to avoid it completely, but to make choices with intention. We cannot control outcomes, but we can control how thoughtfully we make decisions. Pausing is not laziness; it can be one of the most productive things we do. Values-aligned decisions create greater peace, even when outcomes are uncertain. The question "What is my path of least regret?" can be used in both big life choices and everyday moments.   About Parul Somani: Parul Somani is an MIT and Harvard Business School graduate, speaker, cancer survivor, and author of The Path of Least Regret. After being diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer shortly after giving birth to her second child, Parul developed the Path of Least Regret framework to help navigate high-stakes decisions under uncertainty. Today, she speaks globally on decision-making, mindset, resilience, and intentional living, helping leaders and high-achievers move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.    Action from This Episode: Next time you feel stuck between options, try asking: "If things don't go exactly as planned, which choice would I still feel most at peace with?" That question may not remove uncertainty, but it can help you move forward with more clarity, courage, and intention. Peace, passion, and purpose.   Resources & Links: Get Parul Somani's book on Amazon: The Path of Least Regret Website: Parul Somani Connect with Vanessa Errecarte: Linkedin Instagram