Years ago I was with a small group attending the filming of a TV show. During a break, the floor manager came over and said if we wanted we could go and say hi to whoever we wanted. This was such a surprise and good fortune, yet I didn’t take it. I felt like an idiot and sat there even though I wanted nothing more than to go say hello. The break ended and shooting started again. It didn’t take long before I was thinking ‘why didn’t I go over and say’Hi’. I knew the answer of course: fear. Fear of being rejected or of looking stupid in front of someone I admired.
But don’t worry, this story has a happy ending (sort of) It is because of that one regret and missed chance that I have taken action since. If hadn’t been for that one lost opportunity I wouldn’t have been so determined not to miss the next one. If it hadn’t been for that one lost opportunity I would not have fully understood just how much regrets suck. It was from that one event that I decided that I didn’t want any more regrets.
The chance to meet that particular person has not happened again (yet), but I have said hello to a couple other celebrities I like. Even though I was very nervous, as I approached them I was not focusing on the shyness. The driving force had changed to knowing I had to do this or I would regret it. But it is not only these opportunites that I have taken, other situations where I know I will regret not doing something, I know take action. It doesn’t always work out perfectly, but I know it is better than having that nagging regret.
If you don’t ask out that guy/girl you like and then they graduate/change job/move and you don’t see them again, don’t dwell too long, instead use it to motivate you to take action next time. Next time ask them out. I promise you that you will regret not asking considerably more than if you ask and get a ‘no’.
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