We live in fear of regretting our decisions. We fear Regretting so much that we don’t do anything, and then later regret it.
In the last few years of self employment I have definitely had a few regrets. Mostly on big spend on marketing and advertising campaigns that came to nothing, just left me out of pocket.
But is that regret? Or just a decision that didn’t work out?
Out of every 5 big decisions I’ve made, 1 will come off. And that one tends to over shadow the 4 that fade away and become compost.
If you don’t make big calls every now and then you can only be making small calls. Which might be ok, but you can’t expect big change with small calls.
So if there are some big calls lurking around, and you are worried about making the wrong decision, worried you might regret it, think about how it would feel if you didn’t do it.
Sometimes that answer is you’d feel fine - in which case don’t do it.
But if the answer is you’d always wonder what if - then make the call and find out.
A regret can be a lesson learned.
A regret can be a feeling of missed opportunity, but you don’t know for sure.
A regret can be a try, a fail, a miss - but it was the right decision for you at the time.
Regrets are not bad decisions.
Regrets are decisions you made, that didn’t work out.
“We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.”
― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections
If you have made a decision and you feel some kind of regret, ask if there is anything you can take from the regret into your future.
No regrets. That might be a hard one to do. But not dwelling on regrets, seeing regrets as part of life, that might be achievable?
All decisions are stepping stones. Even if you might regret a few, they were still a stone that helped you cross the river.
eleanor
What is Regret to you?
One of my life mottos is not to regret not doing something. Don’t allow yourself that regretful ‘If only i’d…’ Either do it - and potentially regret it, but know that at least you did it, or have a very firm reason to not do it that won’t lead to regret later on. Complicated, but makes sense to me!
You've inspired me to book a yoga workshop that I was umming & ahhing about - I'll regret it if I don't do it. And also I have renewed my offer of yoga teacher cover at my local studio. I have been regretting not following it up and not getting opportunity to teach in person. Thank you