Prioritize living a life that aligns with your authentic self, rather than conforming to the expectations of others, as this is the most common regret of the dying and an umbrella for avoiding other regrets.
Appreciate that you are going to die to truly live life more fully and get the most out of every day.
Approach past mistakes with compassion, recognizing you did your best with the knowledge you had, which eliminates the need for regret and harsh self-judgment.
Cultivate strong family relationships, develop a sense of humor about life’s challenges, and foster a belief in something greater than oneself (spiritual or religious faith, or awe in nature) to live a regret-free life.
Regularly schedule unplanned time with no agenda, allowing yourself to simply be, which can significantly improve work efficiency and clarity.
Consciously evaluate the price (financial, time, emotional) of every choice you make or don’t make, and regularly ask yourself if that price is worth paying.
Do not allow your work to become your entire identity and life; ensure you dedicate time to family, personal dreams, and other fulfilling aspects of life.
Find the courage to express your feelings, rather than suppressing them, to avoid a common regret of the dying.
Prioritize staying in touch with your friends and nurturing those relationships, as losing touch is a common regret.
Give yourself permission to be happier and break through any resistance that prevents you from experiencing joy in your life.
Cultivate the important skill of constant re-evaluation of your choices and behaviors, as priorities and circumstances change over time.
Practice courage by acting despite feeling scared, as this force helps dismantle internal barriers that stop you from pursuing your goals and dreams.
Engage in creative endeavors for the sheer joy of creation, rather than solely for monetary outcomes or external validation, allowing for diverse projects.
Consciously limit the validity and influence of other people’s opinions on your life, remembering that you are the ultimate judge of your own choices.
Take intentional breaks from social media and the ‘busyness of the tech world’ when it feels out of alignment with how you want to live.
If your job demands unhealthy hours and threatens your well-being, consider that you might be in the wrong job and seek alternative employment that allows for more personal space.
After completing a significant project, allow for a period of rest or a gap before immediately starting the next one, trusting that things will be okay.
Continue to show love and communicate with family members experiencing cognitive decline, as they may still experience moments of clarity or feel your love, even if they cannot articulate it.
Embrace the natural five-stage process of life (creation, birth, growth, decay, death) to foster acceptance of changes and loss.
Actively find gratitude in whatever is happening in your life right now, as this practice is a fundamental step towards living a regret-free life.
Learn to honor your personal limits, such as ensuring good sleep and not overloading your days, to show up well without using them as an excuse for laziness.
Begin pursuing your goals and dreams now, rather than waiting for a ‘perfect time,’ as there is never a better moment than the present.
When pursuing endeavors, shift your focus from ego-driven external validation to the actual impact you wish to make.
When addressing issues or disputes, weigh the cost (time, energy) of pursuing action against what you would have to give up.
Cultivate a mindset of embracing and making peace with the unknown aspects and uncertainties of life.
Seek direct exposure to death (e.g., spending time with dying people) to gain perspective on what is truly important in life and let go of ’nonsense’ and ’empty achieving’.
Consider trying meditation to cultivate peace, calm, and purpose in your life.