Living a Life With no Regrets…
I don't want to pretend I am a man with all of the answers and always feel a bit embarrassed starting any writing, like this article, as it feels presumptuous. With that said, I know that I get a lot of questions from people of all walks of life, who want to know how I have been able to do what I wanted to do, athletically and otherwise, for so long. I also see a lot of people who seem to be struggling with things that I have learned some lessons about over the years.
The Foundation of No Regrets
Living a life with no regrets isn't about having everything perfect or never making mistakes. It's about making decisions based on your true priorities and being willing to take action toward the things you want to do.
A day of delay turns into a week, into a month, a year, a decade, and then a lifetime. Delay in what? Delay in deciding what your true priorities in life are, in priority order, and beginning the effort of working towards them in that order is the main regret people have at the end of their lives.
You don't have to have everything figured out in order to get your "house in order", but regrets come from not moving towards your priorities, versus having everything perfect.
Decision-Making Protocol
The key to living without regrets is developing a clear decision-making protocol based on your priorities. When faced with choices, I always come back to what matters most to me in priority order:
- Family and relationships - The people who matter most
- Health and fitness - The foundation that enables everything else
- Professional growth - Contributing something meaningful
- Personal fulfillment - Pursuing what brings joy and purpose
Every major decision I've made - from dropping out of engineering school to pursue kayaking, to starting Jackson Kayak, to launching Apex Watercraft - has been filtered through these priorities.
Learning from Setbacks
The above was an example of a decision made based on priorities. Even in moments of competitive disappointment, what matters most becomes clear. Having people in your life who support you through both victories and defeats - that's what prevents regrets later on.
Competition teaches you that setbacks are temporary, but the relationships you build and the character you develop last forever. I would have competed and pushed myself regardless of the outcome, because that alignment with my priorities is what matters.
The Power of Consistent Action
Regrets don't come from occasional failures or temporary setbacks. They come from patterns of inaction, from consistently choosing the easier path when you know there's something more important you should be pursuing.
The secret isn't having unlimited courage or confidence. It's about taking small, consistent actions toward your priorities even when you don't feel ready, even when circumstances aren't perfect.
Practical Steps to Eliminate Regrets
1. Define Your True Priorities Write down what actually matters most to you, not what you think should matter or what others expect. Be honest about what brings you fulfillment.
2. Make Decisions Through This Filter When facing choices, ask: "Which option best serves my top priorities?" This eliminates most second-guessing.
3. Take Action Despite Imperfect Conditions Waiting for the "right time" is often just procrastination in disguise. Start where you are with what you have.
4. Measure Progress Against Yourself Compare where you are today to where you were last year, not to where others are. Growth is personal.
5. Build Relationships That Support Your Priorities Surround yourself with people who encourage your best efforts and understand what matters to you.
The Long View
At 60, I can look back without major regrets because I've consistently moved toward what mattered most to me. Did everything work out perfectly? Absolutely not. But I can honestly say I've spent my energy on the things that align with my values.
That's the real secret to a life without regrets: not perfect outcomes, but consistent alignment between your actions and your deepest priorities.
The time to start is now. Not when conditions are perfect, not when you have more confidence, not when obstacles disappear. Now.
🙂
EJ