WM7: Regrets Interview
Virtual Coach
Work step-by-step through the Know What Matters exercise with the virtual coach.
Introduction
Second‑hand wisdom is time‑efficient: let other people’s “I wish I had …” moments spotlight the principles you don’t want to neglect. Regrets Interview is a 15‑minute values‑clarifier that mines five powerful TED (or TEDx) talks about regret. As you watch, you jot the speaker’s biggest “if only,” translate it into a positive value word (e.g., Justice, Integrity), and choose a micro‑action to live that value today.
Instructions
Regret-to-Values TED Playlist
Goal: Watch the five talks below in one sitting or spaced across a day; capture one value + one micro-action from each.
Talks & Takeaways
| TED Talk (length) | Speaker’s Key Regret | Value Word | 24-Hour Micro-Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Don’t Regret Regret (16 min) — Kathryn Schulz | Trying to be flawless & never err | Learning / Humility | Share one recent mistake with a friend and what it taught you |
| 4 Kinds of Regret (20 min) — Daniel H. Pink | Wishing we’d acted to honor boldness | Courage | Email that mentor you’ve hesitated to contact |
| 3 Things I Learned While My Plane Crashed (5 min) — Ric Elias | Neglecting relationships & presence | Connection | Put phone away at dinner and ask one meaningful question |
| The Power of Vulnerability (20 min) — Brené Brown | Armour-plating against emotional risk | Authenticity | Tell someone “I appreciate you because…” |
| The Price of Shame (22 min) — Monica Lewinsky | Allowing shame to silence purpose | Compassion | Post (or text) one supportive message to someone under fire |
Worksheet & Virtual Coach
FAQs
Short on time—watch only one?
Sure. Even a single regret story can spark a value. Just complete the table row you watched.
Talks feel heavy—any lighter options?
Swap in Daniel Goldstein’s Battle Between Your Present and Future Self for a behavioural-economics slant.
My actions feel tiny. Do they count?
Yes—ACT is about committed action, not scale. A 60-second act done beats a grand gesture postponed.
Repeat themes keep popping up—is that normal?
Yup. Recurring values (e.g., Connection) signal core priorities—highlight them for extra focus.
How often to redo?
Quarterly works well; regret themes shift as life stages change.
Disclaimer
If you have any behavioral health questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare or mental health care provider. This article is supported by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from behavioral health societies and governmental agencies. However, it is not a substitute for professional behavioral health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
