UCanMakeItIfYouTry – Minimize Regret
TOP TIPS
Many of us are afraid to take chances. We won’t ask the cute person in Apartment B out for coffee. We stop ourselves from applying for the promotion. We ignore our passions.
This can leave us full of regret when we look back on our lives. We wish we would have taken more chances or done things differently.
You can minimize feelings of regret with these tips:
1 – Make Your Family Your #1 Priority
No one looks back on their life and wishes they had spent more time in the office. When you make your family the number one priority in your life, you make better decisions, leading to fewer regrets.
2 – Nurture Your Soul
You are more than a body and a brain. You have needs that reach deep into your soul. Nurture your spirituality through participation in worship, meditation, or other means.
3 – Never Stop Learning
The end of school doesn’t mean the end of learning. You will never regret learning something new about the world (or yourself). Be true to your passions and start learning more about the things that excite you.
4 – Choose Your Words Carefully
Lacking out in anger or other intense emotions is never a great idea. You will have far fewer regrets if you take time to calm down before speaking in highly stressful situations.
5 – Take Care of Your Health
Many regrets stem from not being able to physically do the things we’d still like to do. You only have one body. It’s wise to take good care of it. You won’t be young forever.
6 – Forgive Others
Holding onto grudges hurts you more than other people. Many people end up regretting not forgiving others when they had the chance. Don’t be that person; learn to forgive when it is appropriate.
7 – What Do YOU Want Out of Life?
You can minimize regrets by ensuring you live the life you want to lead. Your choices don’t have to please everyone. You don’t have to cave to societal norms if they make you unhappy.
8 – Get Uncomfortable
Our biggest regrets come from opportunities or risks we passed on because they were outside our comfort zone. You can minimize regret by taking more strategic risks and getting uncomfortable sometimes.
9 – Forget Regret
Why bother regretting anything? You are who you are because of the sum of your life choices. You have no idea how different choices may have impacted your life. Be content with who you are, what you have, and everything you experienced.
FAST-ACTION STEPS
1 – Why not make a regret list? List things you will regret doing when you look back on your life, and then a list of activities you definitely won’t regret. Spend more time doing things from the won’t regret list.
2 – Write a bucket list and keep it handy. Look at it often and try to check off as many dreams, hopes, or goals as possible.
3 – Think about your grudges. Are there any you might be willing to give up? Start with people who genuinely seemed remorseful and have already reached out to make amends.
- About the Author
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James Donaldson
Former Owner and Director of The Donaldson Clinic (an outpatient physical therapy clinic)
James completed a 20 year professional basketball career in the spring of 2000. James established The Donaldson Clinic in (January 1990 – 2018) (shortly after a career threatening knee injury) with an idea that he would eventually become a physical therapist. He is a strong advocate for Women & Minority owned businesses and is very involved with various Chambers of Commerce. He understands what it takes to sustain a strong business environment that is conducive to the success of businesses overall.
James is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the N.B.A. with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Utah Jazz. He also played for several in Spain, Italy and Greece of the European Leagues plus toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an N.B.A. All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac – 10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
He now devotes the majority of his time to various community activities, and toward the Gift of Life Foundation, speaking on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, youth groups and is the author of the published “Standing Above the Crowd” of which you can learn more about at www.standingabovethecrowd.com and is available for sale now.
In 2021, James published Celebrating Your Gift of Life: From the Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy. www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
James is a 40+ year resident of Seattle. He believes in being a role model of success and professionalism for the scores of young people that he devotes so much of his time to. He currently serves on several Boards and/or committees and is a member of many organizations. (Please see complete listing on back)
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win – Win” environment for everyone involved, and being the best he can be!
