Ever looked back on a missed opportunity and thought, Ugh, what if? Well, you’re not alone—and that feeling of regret might actually be one of the best tools for growth. I had the privilege of chatting with New York Times bestselling author Daniel Pink about his book The Power of Regret—the book that gave me the final push to launch this very podcast!

Dan breaks down why regret gets a bad rap in our culture of toxic positivity and how it can actually help us make smarter choices. He conducted a massive study (we’re talking 26,000+ regrets from people in 130 countries!) and uncovered four core types of regret that shape our lives. 

We got personal, talking about boldness regrets (yep, like not shooting your shot), connection regrets, and even my own struggles with juggling career, parenting, and ADHD. Spoiler: being kind to yourself is key.

Instead of fearing regret, Dan suggests we flip the script—treat it as a guide, not a life sentence. Because in the end, regret isn’t about what we did. It’s about what we didn’t do. So, if you’re stuck in what could have been mode, this episode will help you leap forward. Tune in now!

“Regret clarifies what we value and instructs us on how to live.” 

-Daniel Pink

In This Episode:

-Daniel’s research findings on regret from 26,000 participants

-The four core types of regret

-Why people regret more about playing it safe than taking risks

-How regret can be a powerful tool for growth

-The importance of self-compassion in overcoming regret

-Career regrets in the workplace and why bold moves matter

-How anticipating regret can lead to smarter decisions

-Why the idea of “no regrets” is misleading

-Practical steps to turn regret into opportunity

And much more!

Connect with Daniel Pink:

-LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielpink/ 

-Website: https://www.danpink.com/ 

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielpink 

-Daniel’s Book, The Power of Regret: https://amzn.to/33G8WF8

Connect with Maureen Clough:

-Instagram: @itgetslateearly - https://www.instagram.com/itgetslateearly/

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-Website: itgetslateearly.com - https://www.itgetslateearly.com/

-Facebook: It Gets Late Early - https://www.facebook.com/people/It-gets-late-early/100088694515585/