Let’s face it; nobody is perfect. However, there’s a big difference between not doing things perfectly and actively looking back on your life with regret. Sadly, far too many people fall into the latter category.
The first step to avoiding those pitfalls is to be aware of them. Here are 10 you must consider at all times.
#1. Not investing in your health
The Dalai Lama’s quote on sacrificing our health to make money is very accurate. Unfortunately, if you allow your health to deteriorate too much, the impacts can be irreversible. When added to the improved confidence and image, now is the time to think about your health.
#2. Not travelling the world
Planet earth is a truly incredible place, and international travel is easier than ever. The harsh reality is that you’ll never experience everything that this earth has to offer. Still, regretting missed opportunities in later life is a horrible feeling. If you have a travel bucket list, follow it.
#3. Not chasing a goal
Human nature dictates that we want to better ourselves, but it’s easy to take the easy route. Whether it’s chasing a work promotion, learning a new skill, or bettering yourself in some way doesn’t matter. It’s better to try and fail than not try at all.
#4. Not having self-belief
Setting a goal in life is one thing, but setting out to achieve it is another. Self-confidence, or rather a lack of it, is often what holds people back from making things happen. Regardless of how you achieve it, working on this aspect of your life will help you avoid later regret.
#5. Not challenging mistreatment
We all face mistreatment from time to time. Responding to it in the right manner is a key step to preventing future regret. Whether it’s using a personal injury lawyer or shutting down a workplace bully isn’t important. The key is that you gain justice.
#6. Not putting safety nets in place
There’s nothing worse than wishing you could turn the clocks back and put insurance in place. Whether it’s home insurance, holiday insurance, or health insurance. The regrettable decision of not protecting yourself could potentially disrupt your life for years.
#7. Not being creative
Following a passion in life is crucial for our physical and emotional well being. From making time for art or music to unleashing your creative writing side, those tasks are key. Missing the opportunity may leave you feeling that you didn’t leave a mark.
#8. Not appreciating what you have
While ambition and self-improvement are vital, you don’t want to waste your life wishing for other things. The John Lennon lyric “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” is true. Learn to value the things you can be thankful for.
#9. Not spending time with loved ones
Success can be calculated in many ways. However, nothing in this life is as precious as time spent with loved ones. From holidays and days out to time around the home, you must appreciate it. And that means avoiding unnecessary distractions such as too much screen time.
#10. Not changing
It’s only natural that we wall temporarily fall into life’s traps on occasion. This should not be considered a failure. Failure is when you do nothing about it. If you’ve identified an issue and not treated it, the sense of regret will be huge in later life.
So how about you? As you look ahead to the new year, are there things you can do to avoid regrets and embrace more joy?
