Because You Can't Hit Rewind: Learn to move beyond a bad decision

Ever said something to a family member, friend or colleague and later regretted it? Bought something and then wished you hadn’t? Got a little too wild and crazy at a function only to find yourself in a prickly predicament? It happens.

If you could have a do-over maybe you would make a different decision. But, because you can’t go back in time, use what you said or did to help make yourself a better, stronger you going forward.

  1. Own your decision or action. Don’t try to make excuses, rationalize it, or try to blame someone else.
  2. Understand your choice. Figure out why you did or said what you did.
  3. Apologize and explain. If what you did or said hurt someone, apologize. Don’t make an excuse or down play what happened, but do explain what you discovered during your personal reflection about your decision or action.
  4. Be in the present. Don’t dwell on the past. Making mistakes is part of living and growing.
  5. Think to the future. Ask yourself what you could do to make different, better decisions going forward.

Remember: No matter what you did or said in the past, there is always hope for the present and future.

“Forget regret, or life is yours to miss.”   Jonathan Larson