💡 The Surprising Power of Regret to Overcome Fear

Grab a cup of tea or coffee because today, we’re diving deep into two powerful emotions—fear and regret—and how they shape our decisions. It’s not just another blog; it’s a reminder to listen to your inner voice and honor what matters to you.

🌱 Why Fear Holds Us Back

Fear sneaks in when we think about stepping into new spaces—like launching a business, going after that promotion, or speaking up. As exciting as new opportunities are, fear often blocks us. “What if it doesn’t work out?” “What if people judge me?” Sound familiar?

Fear thrives on discomfort. It’s not failure we fear—it’s how uncomfortable failure might feel.

🔍 How Regret Can Be Your Teacher

Here’s where regret comes in. Regret feels heavier than fear. Why? Because regret is tied to the past—things we didn’t do, chances we didn’t take—and it’s out of our control. But when we reflect on our lives, we rarely regret the things we tried, even if they didn’t succeed.

I remember a personal story of launching a company called Work at Mom during my venture capital days. We poured energy, resources, and passion into it, but the business didn’t survive the 2008 crisis. Did I regret it? Not at all. Why? Because I acted in alignment with my values.

🧭 Aligning with Your Truth

When our actions reflect who we truly are, regret takes a back seat. Even when things don’t turn out as planned, staying true to your values feels like success in itself.

Ask yourself: If I do this and it doesn’t go perfectly, will I regret trying? Most of us only regret not acting on what aligns with our values. So, honor that inner nudge.

✨ A Final Reflection

Think about it—years from now, what will you regret more? The discomfort of trying something new or the emptiness of never trying at all? Life asks us to show up, discomfort and all. As the author of The Five Regrets of the Dying discovered, people rarely regret trying and failing. They regret not trying at all.

So, next time fear creeps in, think about what regret might feel like—and choose courage. 🌻