The Things You Didn't

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do." –Mark Twain 

Well, ain't that the truth? At least, it is for me—I can't speak for you.

But I'm willing to bet this resonates. We're over halfway through the year now. How are you doing on those goals? Is anything keeping you awake at night? Maybe you have a "thing you didn't" that would have good ol' Mark giving you the eye?

If I only had one more salesperson hitting their number, everything would be different.

Why don't I make healthy choices for my body?

How do I get out of the day-to-day busy work so I can really focus on growing my business?

I haven't talked to my brother in a month—how come?

If I don't do something about Jonathan, he will destroy the entire company's culture.

Is Die Hard a Christmas movie??

That's about how randomly my brain works. Does your brain work like mine?

Here's a challenge for you. Warning: this might not be particularly fun.

2023 is going to end sooner than you think. Take stock of what's happened and hasn't happened yet this year. Then, answer the questions below.

• What do you regret NOT doing in and for your business this year? Have you fired the culture killer, hired for that one role that could make all the difference, worked on that incredibly important but not urgent project, finalized your values and defined your growth strategy?

What didn't you?

• What do you regret NOT doing for your family so far this year? Have you taken those regular date nights, scheduled in frequent, intentional kid time, taken a vacation longer than a long weekend, seen your siblings and your parents, or forgiven that one person for that one thing?

What didn't you?

• What do you regret NOT having done for yourself so far year? Have you worked on eating healthy, taken personal time off, recharged, learned something new, gone on that annual friend trip, or said no to the things you didn't want to do?

What didn't you?

I have found that whenever I finally buckle down and do the things I know, I should have done a long time ago (but was too avoidant, scared, overly patient, or plain old lazy to get to), I always end up thinking: "Why didn't I do that sooner??"

What time is it for you right now?

What, if given the freedom, would you get done?

Don't wait. Be intentional and do it NOW. Schedule it NOW.

Regret is sickening, and you can't do anything about "the things you didn't."

Therefore, strain towards what is ahead. Press on towards the goal. Fight the good fight. Finish the race. Be excited and energized by the things you WILL DO so that they can become the things you DID.