I should have. I would have. I could have. (Also known as the should’a-would’a-could’a spiel).
- I should have started saving. But didn’t.
- I would have started that diet. But didn’t.
- I could have changed jobs. But didn’t.
Regret. What an absolute waste of time and energy.
Wallowing in self-pity about missed opportunities or poor decisions made in the past does nothing for you in the present. In fact, while you are focused on the past you are actually missing the present. You are simply creating more regrets for the future. You’ll be looking back at this moment in time and regretting the fact that you aren’t doing what you can do right now.
Looking back at the decisions you made in the past is only useful if you are learning from those decisions and applying what you learned to your present.
So, you didn’t start saving or investing 10 years ago? Well, start your savings plan today.
You didn’t start that diet 6 months ago? Well, start it today.
You didn’t look for a new job a year ago? So, start looking today.
Whatever it is that you didn’t do in the past, do it now.
Why? Because a year from now, or 10 years from now, you don’t want to be looking back at this moment and saying to yourself:
I should have. I would have. I could have. But I didn’t.
Don’t allow a lack of action today to create your regrets of tomorrow.
