Many of us tend to worry irrationally at times that we might regret our choice in the future. Here is a story of two friends who faced similar concerns.
Sometime back, two friends were presented with life-changing opportunities. That could have not only a positive impact on their own lives but also the lives of those around them. For one, this meant taking up a high-paying job with hectic hours and little time for family life.
At the same time, for others, it was an average job that offered stability and more time to spend with loved ones.
Although they were both excited about the changes ahead of them, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of ambiguity, and their mind was flooded with n number of questions;
Am I making the right decision about my career?
Are there better job opportunities out there that I’m unaware of?
How will this job affect my personal and professional development in the long term?
Is the salary offered commensurate with my qualifications and experience?
Have you also been paralyzed by this confusion while making a decision? Do fast decisions often cause you to second-guess yourself afterward?
In this blog post, we explain what “Fear of Regret” is and how to survive it so you can confidently make decisions without thinking twice! So take a deep breath and buckle up for an adventure navigating your way out of fear of regret.
Understanding the “Fear of Regret”
The fear of regret is a human behavior causing a state of anxious anticipation concerning the consequences of making the wrong decisions, potentially leading to regret in the future.
This fear can impact rational thought processes, causing people to make choices that could be detrimental instead of beneficial.
This scenario can often be seen during sales season when consumers experience a heightened sense of anticipation and excitement due to the potential of getting goods or services at heavily discounted prices.
But here comes the catch: one must make an informed decision that takes precedence over acting impulsively. Such purchases are made with confidence rather than regret!
A relative had been searching for a flat in a posh urban area and was thrilled when they discovered an advertisement that said, “Hurry Up! Only a few available for sale”. They were so eager to secure the flat that they began to fear they would regret it if they didn’t act fast.
Despite their financial worries, they decided to take the plunge and buy it impulsively to avoid missing out.
Unfortunately, after making the purchase, my relative soon realized that their decision had been hasty as the amount of money needed was beyond what they could afford.
Despite trying hard to stay positive about their mistake, he was tormented by worries about what might have been if only they had taken more time to research properly before committing themselves.
Exploited And Exploiters
Fear of regret is an issue that affects everyone. Still, it can be especially difficult for people who are perfectionists or tend to struggle with self-doubt. It can also affect those already feeling overwhelmed by too many choices and unsure which one to make.
Those who take advantage of this cognitive bias typically do so without the person realizing it. Often, salespeople will create a sense of urgency or limited availability to make you feel like you need to act quickly to avoid missing out on a great opportunity.
In other cases, manipulative people might use guilt or shame tactics to prevent you from making decisions that don’t align with their expectations or agenda.
Day-To-Day Fear of Regret
- Buying an expensive product, you may not require, but you want to purchase it because you want to take advantage of a limited-time deal.
- Choosing the same restaurant for dinner night after night because you do not want to experience regret if a different place had been better or worse.
- Going to a party even when you are not feeling up for it so as not to miss out on potential fun or networking opportunities.
- Saying “yes” to extra work from your boss even though you know it might be too much and overwhelm you because the fear of regret is strong in case an opportunity comes with it.
Recognizing When You Are Slipping Into The Fear Of Regret Trap
The best way to identify when one is falling into the trap of fear of regret is to retrospect the situation objectively. Consider what decision would be most beneficial in the long run and the potential consequences of making that decision.
Ask yourself questions like “What would my outcome be if I don’t do this?” and “What potential benefits are there for me if I do?”. Additionally, it can sometimes help to seek unbiased feedback from others on whether or not they think you are making a beneficial choice.
Overcoming the Fear of Regret
- Accept that mistakes and missed opportunities are a normal part of life.
- Reframe regretful thoughts into something more positive or productive.
- Analyze the situation objectively and look for alternate solutions or options you may have missed initially.
- Make decisions based on facts rather than emotions.
- Concentrate on what you can control rather than what is out of your control.
- Acknowledge situations where taking a risk or trying something new is beneficial to avoid possible regret later on.
- Use visualization techniques to foster optimism and help stay focused on goals without getting trapped by fear of regret.
Final Thoughts
The fear of regret is a common sentiment that arises when faced with big choices in life. In the case of our two friends, one experienced anxiety knowing that he was sacrificing precious moments with his family by taking a high-paying job.
In contrast, the other friend was concerned that by going for the less lucrative option, she might be missing out on potential career growth and financial security in the future. Fear of regret is present in both friends as they contemplate life-changing career opportunities.
Both are uncertain if they are making the right decisions and fear missing out on better opportunities. They worry about the impact of their choices on their personal and professional growth in the long term. Additionally, they question whether the offered salary reflects their qualifications and experience.
In both cases, the respective job seekers have their set of pros and cons in choosing the job. Ultimately, independent decision-making is key in such circumstances as it will enable each person to decide what works best for them based on their individual goals and circumstances.
Finally
“Fear of Regret” might rear its ugly head, and do your best to avoid succumbing to its irrational thinking. And if you want more tips and tricks on improving your cognitive skills, subscribe to our newsletter – we promise it will be worth your read!
Reference
The above article is based on the book Thinking Clearly; this article is here to help us learn and understand how our minds can be tricked by something called cognitive biases.