Mistake of Not Having a Mentor: Dan Pink on the Power of Regret

Author of the new book, The Power of Regret.

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake137

My guest for Episode #137 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Daniel H. Pink. He is the author of seven books and his most recent was released on February 1, The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward – that seems like a perfect topic to explore on this podcast.

I had a chance to interview Dan back in 2010, for another podcast series, about his book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.

Dan’s books have won multiple awards, have been translated into 42 languages, and have sold millions of copies around the world. He received a BA from Northwestern University, where he was a Truman Scholar and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and a JD from Yale Law School.

In today's episode, Dan shares his “favorite mistake” story about never finding a mentor — he didn't ask, didn't think it was needed. How did he learn that this was a mistake and a regret?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• What's the difference or connection between mistakes and regrets?
• Mistake is an action, regret is an emotion
• Why having regrets is normal and healthy — and “why the ‘No Regrets' philosophy is dunderheaded and dangerous”
• You uncovered the four most common regrets, what’s one example?
• Is “regret” our most misunderstood emotion?
• Why do we regret what we DON’T DO more than regretting what we DO do?
• I regret times when I didn’t speak up in the moment…
• Tell us about the research that went into this book…
• “Talking about the regret is helpful” – lifts the burden, words out loud help or writing (disclosure)
• Self-compassion. Kristen Neff (Texas)
• How can we turn regrets into a positive force?
• How can we avoid dwelling in regret?
• Do you think the pandemic has, in some way, caused people to think differently about regret?
• World Regret Survey

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