thanks for this good reminder we all need. And introducing the book and sharing some insights and sharing some of your inner-works based on that book. Sounds like a book worth reading and reflecting on.
Lou, I find the Power of Regret a powerful tool and motivator.
What drives me is to avoid the number one regret of people on their deathbed: I didn't live the life that was right for me. I didn't go for it.
NFW for me!
To avoid that regret (and this is aligned with what you wrote), I came up with the concept of writing a thank you note from your (much) older self to your current self. It's thanking you for all the things you do now, and until then, that led to being grateful for the life you've led.
This forces you to identify what you want your life to be and feel like and connects you to the regret you'll have if you don't.
That's a powerful exercise, Paul. You know what? I think I'm going to try it. I'll write a thank you note to myself ... but maybe a baby step... I'll write a note from future me (on 12/31/25) writing to my current self and thanking me for the things I did this year that took care of potential regrets. Thanks so much for adding to this conversation, Paul! You da man! (But you know that already!)
Hmmmm. Not sure how I feel about this when I think about eating a bag of chips. Yes, I'd regret it, but I'd regret it even more if I didn't allow myself to hoover down a whole bag, right? 😂
Keeping our pre-grets in mind is a fantastic way to live a vibrant life (so is listening to 80’s music!). As you said Lou, we often focus on our failures rather than the the things we missed out on.
Pre-grets and 80s music might just be THE combo I'm missing. I'm so happy I haven't been challenged (yet!) with my "80s music is the best." 😂 Cheers, Donna.
Thanks for the shout out, Lou! And I too love me some 80s music, as well as earlier decades. Have you seen the Netflix doc about “Yacht Rock?” So many great songs from late 70s and early 80s. I loved hearing them all again!
thanks for this good reminder we all need. And introducing the book and sharing some insights and sharing some of your inner-works based on that book. Sounds like a book worth reading and reflecting on.
Jodi Wellman's got a very interesting way of talking about The Grim Reaper 😊
Lou, I find the Power of Regret a powerful tool and motivator.
What drives me is to avoid the number one regret of people on their deathbed: I didn't live the life that was right for me. I didn't go for it.
NFW for me!
To avoid that regret (and this is aligned with what you wrote), I came up with the concept of writing a thank you note from your (much) older self to your current self. It's thanking you for all the things you do now, and until then, that led to being grateful for the life you've led.
This forces you to identify what you want your life to be and feel like and connects you to the regret you'll have if you don't.
It works!
Great article, Lou. Thank you.
That's a powerful exercise, Paul. You know what? I think I'm going to try it. I'll write a thank you note to myself ... but maybe a baby step... I'll write a note from future me (on 12/31/25) writing to my current self and thanking me for the things I did this year that took care of potential regrets. Thanks so much for adding to this conversation, Paul! You da man! (But you know that already!)
“A life well storied”! Now that spoke to me…this is how I want to live.
The book is new to me, so thank you for the write up, I’m going to take a look.
That book has become one of those that made a huge impact on me! Cheers, Nicola.
I haven't heard of this book. Sounds interesting. Thank you 😊
I am with you on dancing. Sometimes it's a part of my exercise routine and it always feels so good I wonder why I don't do it more!
Okay, Trevy - we have to add this to our 2025 plans. More dancing for you and me 💃
I am on it!
Hmmmm. Not sure how I feel about this when I think about eating a bag of chips. Yes, I'd regret it, but I'd regret it even more if I didn't allow myself to hoover down a whole bag, right? 😂
Hah!😜
Keeping our pre-grets in mind is a fantastic way to live a vibrant life (so is listening to 80’s music!). As you said Lou, we often focus on our failures rather than the the things we missed out on.
Pre-grets and 80s music might just be THE combo I'm missing. I'm so happy I haven't been challenged (yet!) with my "80s music is the best." 😂 Cheers, Donna.
Haha, I won't debate you on 80's music although I could on "pre-get" :-).
Soooo interesting! 😉
A version of that exercise has been my north star for years. If I were lying on my death bed, what would I be sorry that I hadn't done?
I've never done this exercise before. It was definitely eye-opening! 😊 Cheers, Janice!
I heard it for the first time about 30 years ago at a personal growth seminar. I don't remember the speaker or anything else she said but that.
Thanks for the shout out, Lou! And I too love me some 80s music, as well as earlier decades. Have you seen the Netflix doc about “Yacht Rock?” So many great songs from late 70s and early 80s. I loved hearing them all again!
Oooh, I've not seen that Netflix documentary. Adding that to my list. Cheers, Sally!