Issue #415: Regret Can Be a Good Thing
Good morning. It’s Friday, December 27th.
In today’s email:
Focus: Regret Can Be a Good Thing
Listen To: Daniel Pink
Cook: Grain-Free Chocolate Banana Bread
In the News: Debunking Tik Tok
Brain Games: Connections
Stat of the Day
The number of people living with some level of regret - who are those other 1%?? (Daniel Pink Survey, 2020)
Favorites
Just a few quick thoughts from the holidays this week…
Playroom Transforms Into a Gym - my kids are still only 7 and 4, but they now have a tumbling mat, gymnastics bar, and pop-a-shot in the playroom. They’ve spent all week on the new equipment and on the tennis court with their new rackets. 🤸
Protein-Packed Leftovers - we made a huge amount of the most nutritious and delicious chili recipe ever from Dr. Kara Fitzgerald (we’ve got another of her recipes in today’s issue) and an awesome egg casserole. All the protein for lunch and dinner makes it way easier to avoid all the desserts in the house during the holidays. 🍳
No Phone Days - I left my phone charging all day yesterday so I could be more present with the kids enjoying their gifts the day after Xmas. Can’t say enough for how important it is to find the time to just unplug. 📴
Focus
The Power of Regret
At a holiday party I told the host I was shocked their baby was already walking. He responded, “he’s 18 months old man, you’ve just been heads-down with Thrive.”
What a wake up call. This was a good friend - and we live 3 miles apart.
A few days later I made it out to the tennis court for the first time in 2024. Rust didn’t begin to describe how much I sucked.
It was the classic - “l’ll find the time to play soon” and then never did.
That’s what happens with so much of life - we get consumed in whatever is right in front of us and lose out on things we love to do, people we love to see, and even risks we want to take.
That’s regret.
Everyone is reflecting back on 2024 right now and thinking about how to make 2025 even better. But it can be easy for those reflections to turn into regrets.
Here’s the thing - that’s ok. 🤯
Regret is Part of Being Human
We shouldn’t avoid ever feeling regret. It’s not only natural - it’s essential.
It activates the parts of our brain tied to learning and decision-making, functioning like a built-in feedback loop. It is evolution’s way of nudging us forward: “That didn’t work - let’s do better next time.” Back in the day, this mental mechanism helped us survive.
Even now in the less intense life and death situations of everyday life, regret is a key emotion to living our best life.
“Where excitement can make us careless, fear allows us to spot threats in advance. And where pride can go to our heads, regret ensures we learn, get better, and become the best we can be.”
But this is where there’s a fork in the road - regret can create a vicious loop of doom or it can be the blueprint to help us be better.
When we let regret linger, it doesn’t just stay in our heads - it seeps into every part of our lives. Emotionally, it can drain us, keeping us anchored in the past instead of focused on the present.
Physically, it can elevate stress, disrupt sleep, and chip away at our energy. I feel it like a weighted vest when I’m running - making every step feel just a little bit harder.
But if we can harness it instead, regret is our guide. It tells us what we truly value. Because you know what - we aren’t always rational and when we get locked into our own tunnel we miss things that matter.
Sure, work and family should take most of our time. But it’s regret that creates a window for us to see what we’re missing - calling your far off parents or sibling, scheduling lunch with that friend who lives down the street, getting back on the court of a game you love that keeps you feeling young.
2nd vs. 3rd Place
There’s another piece of regret that takes over our mindset without us noticing…
A study of Olympic silver medalists found that these athletes most often felt “If only I…” In other words, they were stuck on whatever small variable cost them the gold.
But bronze medalists, on the other hand, most often said “At least I…” Feeling grateful that things worked out well enough for them to get to the podium.
We need a little bit of both - by acknowledging the positive, we remain optimistic and full of gratitude. And by recognizing that we weren’t perfect, we see opportunity to improve in the future.
The point is - don’t avoid regret. It’s unavoidable anyway, so trying to is a waste of time.
Think about why you’re feeling the regret, distance yourself from it enough to not beat yourself up over something you can’t change in the past (use that trick of naming your inner critic). And then figure out what you can do now to avoid that same regret consuming you next year.
Thrive25 Partner Spotlight
Winter Style Starts with Nike Air Max.
Discover the Nike Air Max collection designed just for men. With standout styles like the Air Max Plus, AM1, DN, and Pulse, these sneakers combine innovative technology and eye-catching designs. Each model offers cushioned support and versatility, making them perfect for any occasion.
Listen To
Daniel Pink and Scott Galloway
We highlighted this in Issue #413, it’s so good we made it our focus today…check out the interview with Daniel Pink - author of the book “The Power of Regret.” It’s a quick listen and gives a good summary not only of regret, but human motivation and Daniel Pink’s column in the Washington Post “Why Not” where he posts crazy questions like - “why don’t we outlaw left turns in busy intersections?”
Cook
Grain-Free Chocolate Banana Bread
Forget the myths! This Grain-Free Chocolate Banana Bread proves you don’t need refined flour or grains for a delicious, nutrient-packed treat. Made with bananas, avocado, eggs, and coconut flour, it’s rich in protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Perfect for breakfast or post-workout, it helps stabilize blood sugar and curb cravings while delivering banana-chocolate bliss. 🍌🍫💪
H&L in the News
Affordable Slopes Await: Skip the $250 lift ticket! Discover six budget-friendly ski resorts across the U.S., from Vermont to Utah, offering thrills without breaking the bank (NYTimes). Max is headed to NH/VT today - let's just keep the rain away, come on snow! ❄️
Protein-Packed Tik Tok Hits Tested: From fluffy yogurt to red lentil pasta, Outside reviewed 7 viral high-protein recipes to see which ones deliver on taste, health, and convenience - not all made the cut! (Outside)
Exercise Fuels Neuron Growth: Exercise triggers biochemical and physical cues that boost nerve growth and healing. Could this discovery lead to breakthroughs in treating neurodegenerative diseases? (Big Think)
Brain Games
Connections
You either love it or you hate it (maybe both) - here’s the puzzle from December 24th.
Credit: NYTimes
**For answer, scroll to the bottom of the post
Product Recs
🦱 Huron - science-backed, clean ingredients, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free. Luxury performance designed for the everyday guy ready to level up his game (see the founder in Issue #91). Max is into the deodorant, face wash, and jumbo shower kit. Ready to clean up your act? Get 15% off now - click here!
💊 Momentous - unlock your peak performance with Momentous supplements: scientifically proven, clinically backed, and patented formulas. Enjoy a 15% discount off the entire product portfolio. Use code Thrive at checkout. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your performance journey - shop now!
Primal Kitchen - Primal Kitchen redefines flavor with a healthy twist, offering an array of irresistible options. Enjoy a 10% discount off your entire order at Primal Kitchen. Don’t miss out - click HERE to claim your discount today!
💪 TMAC Fitness - say goodbye to equipment and hello to an invigorating routine that combines fitness and meditation in the comfort of your own home. Transform your body and mind with TMAC's exclusive program. Take the first step towards a fitter, more balanced you. Get started with TMAC today!
🌎 Zero Acre Farms - seed oils can have real negative effects on our health - but they’re in almost everything we eat. Made by fermentation, not deforestation, Zero Acre Farms cultured oil uses 85% less land than canola oil, emits 86% less CO2 than soybean oil, and requires 99% less water than olive oil. Get 15% off your order with code THRIVE25 today!
Thanks for another great week!
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** Brain Games Answer **
Why Thrive25
We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
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