EMbracing Regret:
Refocus YOUr values & Priorities

Regret, always viewed as a negative. “No regrets”, “Avoid having regrets”, “Regret is bad”. Of course, if you dwell on regret you will always be taking steps backwards. You can’t change what you did. But you can use it to positively influence what you do next.

Outside of sport, my biggest regret is not being home to watch my siblings grow up. I went away to college for the majority of one brother’s k-12 experience, and I haven’t been a part of any of my youngest brother’s k-12 experiences. But, I find ways to continue to strengthen our relationships. A weekly phone call, playing video games with each other, or flying to any sporting events they may have outside of home (Hawaii) due to financial costs. I do this because I value family and I have the chance to show them every mistake I have made to help them be better.

As a student-athlete, you are constantly striving to improve and achieve your goals. However, along the way, it's natural to have regrets about past decisions or missed opportunities. Instead of seeing these regrets as failures or past mistakes, it's important to view them as a reassurance to your values and a sign of personal growth.

Regret is a powerful emotion that can motivate you to reflect on past actions, make different choices in the future, or help you make the most of the current situation. This is an opportunity to practice resilience and perseverance. It's a reminder of what is truly important to you and what you want to prioritize in your life. By acknowledging your regrets and learning from them, you can develop a stronger sense of self-awareness and personal values.

Ultimately, it's important to remember that regrets are a natural part of the learning process. They are not failures, but rather an opportunity to reassess your priorities and values. Embrace regret. With discipline and commitment, you can achieve your goals and become the best version of yourself in and outside of sport.