Analyze the regret. Take the time to thoroughly analyze the regretful situation. Understand what happened, why it happened, and how it has impacted you. Write down your reflections to gain clarity about the situation.
Confront and acknowledge your emotions.. Rather than avoiding or dwelling on your emotions, confront them head-on. Use your feelings as a catalyst for positive change. Consider what regret is trying to tell you and what lessons it offers for making better decisions, improving your performance, and deepening your sense of meaning.
Reframe regret as an opportunity. Instead of viewing regret as a threat or a judgment of your character, reframe it as an evaluation of specific behaviors in particular situations. For example, if you forgot a loved one's birthday, don't see it as evidence of being a clueless and uncaring person. Instead, see it as an opportunity to improve your organizational skills or to express gratitude to your relatives more regularly. Research suggests that learning from these experiences, rather than turning to self-judgment, can lead to better outcomes.

Handle regret effectively for better outcomes

How to Apply This