The thing with regret is that it's a series of what could've been(s) locked in the past but contemplated in the present moment. In many cases, it's mainly a problem of doing, as in I could've done this or that but I didn't.
As much as we ought to flow with what comes, there's also a needed element of initiating, to begin something irrespective of clearly knowing what the outcome may or may not be.
Of course, this doesn't mean we should recklessly start doing just for the sake of doing. But if we genuinely want/need to do something, then we ought to do it instead of just waiting.
If I'm asked what may be the root cause on why we don't do what we want/need to do, I'll probably say the main one is terror, through our mind and emotions, we get terrified.
And since, we can move beyond those perceptions, we don't end up doing it, which leads to regret later down the line.
Of course, this is a general oversimplification.
A Bit Of Theory And Practice
Experience teaches us that the magnitude of regret at the moment of decision rarely matches the reality of its impact long-term.
Imagine standing at a crossroads, each path shrouded in mist. Fear keeps whispering of potential downfalls, amplifying the weight of each wrong turn.
The path "not taken" appears a paradise lost, while the chosen one teems with imagined dangers. In this state, both potential gains and losses are inflated, clouding our judgment.
But isn't experience a harsh mistress, revealing later that most regrets were mere storms in teacups or ripples in an ocean?
Opportunities that we have seemingly missed often blossom anew, and dreaded consequences rarely materialize with the ferocity we envisioned.
This begs the question: can we develop a system to navigate these distorted perceptions and make decisions with more clarity?
Searching for an answer brought about the "launching, learning, and Iterating" framework, which essentially is a system that acknowledges the inherent uncertainty of life but refuses to let it dictate our actions. Instead, it empowers us to:
Launch: Take the initial leap, even if the path ahead is unclear. By starting, we gain valuable data, the raw material for learning.
Learn: Analyze the results, both expected and unexpected. This introspection refines our understanding and reduces the margin for error in future decisions.
Iterate: Use what we've learned to adapt and refine our approach. This continuous improvement ensures we're moving closer to our goals, even if the journey takes unexpected.
When I first embarked on my entrepreneurial journey, I wasn't equipped with all the answers. But instead of letting fear hold me back, I launched anyway with the knowledge I had, eager to learn from initial feedback and iterate based on real-world experience.
This open-minded approach not only helped me refine my expertise but it also exposed me to unexpected opportunities I wouldn't have discovered otherwise.
However, It's true that acting without complete information carries inherent risks. This system doesn't advocate for reckless abandon or doing for the sake of doing.
Instead, it emphasizes calculated exploration within defined boundaries. Meaning setting clear goals, gathering data through action, and iterating based on learnings.
A good way of thinking about it is venturing into uncharted territory with a compass and a thirst for knowledge, and not blindly leaping into the abyss.
In Conclusion
Perfect information is a myth, learning is an ongoing process and action breeds clarity.
In essence, this framework gives us the ability to move beyond the distorted present projected by our minds and emotions, and make decisions that are more aligned with reality.
True, it doesn't eliminate regret entirely, but it reduces its sting, which affords us more space to embrace the journey with greater confidence and less crippling fear.
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