“No regrets,” is a self-destructive way to think about your past. Dan Pink explains in The Power of Regret.
4 core regrets:
#1. Foundation Regrets.
“If only I had done the work.”
These regrets are about failures to be responsible, conscientious, or prudent. Many foundation regrets involve finance and health.
#2. Boldness Regrets.
“If only I had taken that chance.”
You tend to regret things you didn’t do, not things you did. Boldness regrets include starting a business, chasing love, learning a new language or learning to play an instrument.
Inaction regrets outnumber action regrets two to one.
#3. Moral regrets:
“If only I had done the right thing.”
These painful regrets include infidelity and bullying. You had the opportunity to do the right thing and did the wrong thing.
#4. Connection regrets:
“If only I had reached out.”
People regret not asking someone out on a date, letting strong relationships grow weak, and not restoring broken relationships.
Connection regrets are more pervasive than foundation, boldness, and moral regrets.
Regrets Before Resolutions
“The pathway to new year’s resolutions is to think about our old year’s regrets.” Dan Pink
- Fill in the blank: “If only I _______________.”
- Make a list of your “If only” regrets.
- Pick the one — and only one — that bugs you the most.
- Make that — and only that — your New Year’s resolution. Less is more.
- Put an action plan into place by setting private commitments on the even-numbered days of January.
Bonus: Tell others what you’re doing so they can hold you accountable.
Do you make New Year’s resolutions?
What’s your, “I wish I would have…,” statement for 2025?
Dig deeper:
A CEO says, “If I Could Do it Again …”
Don’t Rush to Set Personal Goals
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Previously Published on leadershipfreak with Creative Commons License
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