Top 12 Regrets Of The Typical American: Will These Be Yours As Well?

When we near the end of life our mind turns to our past.  Often this reflection leaves us wishing and wanting for a changed, more proud personal history.  One of the keys to having a better future (and, therefore, a better history) is to learn from those who have come before us.  

I recently came across a national survey that identifies the 12 most common regrets the typical American experiences.  The results of this survey are interesting but more than that….they act as a mirror into our own lives.  With thoughtful consideration we can avoid these common regrets that lead to sadness in the past, present, and future.  

Here are the findings listed in order of frequency per the survey results:  

As you review each regret below, consider the accompanying questions, your answers, and the internal voice that is nagging at you to do something:

1. Romance – How are you about romancing your significant other?  What more can you do to contribute more to your relationship?
2. Family – How healthy and happy are your family relationships?  Is there an old grudge or offense that is keeping you from connecting with somebody you love(d)?
3. Education –   Are you pursuing your passions?  What do you do in your spare time? 
4. Career –  Is your current job/career fulfilling and does it make you happy?  If not, what can you do to change that?
5. Finance – Is money the end or is the money helping you to achieve an end?  What can you do to have peace with your finances?
6. Parenting – Are you the parent you want to be?  What can you do to become a better parent?  
7. Health –  Do you feel good about how you take care of your body?  What changes will give you greater physical satisfaction and confidence?
8. Friends – How often do you talk with your good friends?  Are you a resource for your friends when they need help?  If not, how can you become that resource?
9. Spirituality –  How connected are you to your higher power?  How could an improved connection improve your life?
10. Community – What is your community?  What more can you do to contribute to the well-being of your community?  What can you do to belong to a community?
11. Leisure –  Do you take time to do what you truly and deeply enjoy?  If not, why?
12. Self – What can you do to improve your self in the ways that are most meaningful to you?

Life is wonderfully challenging, consequential, and short lived.  Most regret is simply the result of mindlessness.  We just don’t take the time to understand what is most important to us.   If we were clear on this point, I mean written-down clear, then we would consciously make the decision to live, or not live, the life we want.  Unfortunately, most of us simply let life’s current take us where it will without us acknowledging its direction and course.  Your life will be what you want it to be.  If you don’t know what you want then it will be left to others to decide.  Life is about knowing what matters to you and doing everything in your power to feel, love, and live it.  That is a life worth living.  That is a life void of regret and full of satisfaction.