The Power of Regret
by Daniel H. Pink
Pink surveyed thousands of people about their regrets and found four kinds: foundation (not saving, not studying), boldness (not taking the chance), moral (doing wrong), and connection (letting relationships lapse). He argues that regret, properly handled, is a teacher, and offers a process for using it. Readable and quietly useful.
Read it if…
you carry regrets and have been told to simply not have them.
Skip it if…
you want a book on moving forward without looking back; this looks back on purpose.
Three things you will actually use
- Use regret as data about what matters.
- Choose boldness; inaction regrets last longer.
- Reach out; connection regrets are the most fixable.
Do this first
Write your three biggest regrets and sort them into the four categories; the pattern tells you what you value.
Our verdict
Thoughtful and practical; a useful reframe of a painful emotion.
Compare with other Mindset books
Poor Charlie's Almanack
Charles T. Munger, edited by Peter D. Kaufman · Mindset
Dense, wise and worth owning.
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