>A recent magazine had an interesting article that included a test. The test consisted of 40 tiny cards. Each card represented a value, like 'gain knowledge', 'have fun', 'gain wisdom', 'give help'. We had to choose our own personal top 5. And the others had to predict our top 5.
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>The philosophical/psychological idea, as described in the article, is that we shouldn't set concrete goals like 'be rich before 30' or 'become the next manager' or 'sail around the world when 55'. Rather, we should try to live according to our most central values. Step one is to choose a top 5 of such values. Step two is to write those values on tiny cards and put them in our wallet. Step three is to try to use those words when evaluating our actions or whenever we have to make an important decision.
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>The idea is that, when the 'end' comes nearby, one can hopefully say to himself/herself "Although I haven't succeeded completely, at least I have tried to live in accord with my top 5 values."
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>When applied to the case you describe, if the coming decision is in accord with the top 5 values, then it's a good decision, even if, afterall, it didn't give the success that is hoped for.

Interesting thought, thanks, Peter.

In fact it's a very complex decision and I hoped to find a sample letter of how to get an idea if the other prospects are completely hopeless or not.