I visualise life to be similar to a game of chess. In chess, more often than not, it is impossible to undo a grave mistake. You cannot undo the damage of losing a piece or a blunder. Similarly, it is very difficult to undo big mistakes done in life. In chess, small mistakes start cumulating and it all comes back to haunt the player. He gets tied up for room and is forced to make more mistakes. Similarly, in life also, small mistakes cumulate and come back to haunt the person.
If you plan well and keep it simple and play one step at a time, you have a bright chance in Chess. So in life too.