Power of regret

Regret is universal and is a shared human experience we should have the ability to normalise it and neutralise it. 

"We all make mistakes"

Dan Pink's book "The Power of Regret" explores how embracing regret can be progressive. If we find redemption we are happier and identify more meaning to what just happened rather than regretting and closing a door.  The trick is to normalise regret and contain the emotion then we can craft a redemption story 

Redemptive action look like this:-

o   Generous acts always  outweigh  selfish acts

o   Thoughtful acts outweigh  careless acts

o   Hard work will offset laziness 

·All of the above can be character defining 

Regret can be categorised into 4 areas:-

·       Foundation regrets “If only I’d work hard in my 20s”

·       Boldness regrets “If only I had taken that girl out”

·       Moral regret – “If only I had done the right thing”

·       Connection regret – “If I had only reached out” 

To make these practical and in everyday life imagine if you had a weekly tracker to see if you have had any regrets.

Foundation

I wish I had taken care of my health this week by…

I wish I had advanced my career this week by…

I wish I had increased my savings this week by…

Boldness

I wish I had tried…

I wish I had started…

I wish I had asked…

Moral

I wish I had remained loyal to…

I wish I have been kinder to…

I wish I had stood up for 

Connection

I wish I had reached out to 

I wish I had forgiven 

The purpose of the book is to reclaim regret as indispensable emotion – it matters.  Regret makes us human – Regret makes us better