"Lorsque vous pensez aux choses que vous regretterez à 80 ans, ce sont presque toujours les choses que vous n'avez pas faites. Ce sont des actes d'omission. Très rarement, vous regretterez quelque chose que vous avez fait, qui a échoué et qui n'a pas foncti"

The core idea here is pretty straightforward: when you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the things you did. It's those missed opportunities—those times you held back—that will haunt you. Sure, we all mess up sometimes, but those failures usually teach us something and don't stick as deep regrets in our hearts.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, famously said this. He was talking about taking risks and making bold moves, whether in business or personal life. Bezos himself took a massive risk leaving a cushy job on Wall Street to start Amazon in his garage. Imagine if he hadn't taken that leap—Amazon wouldn't exist today.

Think about a simple, real-life example. Imagine a guy named Mike. Mike had always wanted to learn to play the guitar. He dreamed of it since he was a kid, but he was always too busy with work or too scared he wouldn't be any good. Now, at 70, he looks back and regrets never picking up that guitar. He doesn't regret the times he tried something new and failed—those are just stories to tell. But the guitar? That's a hole in his heart.

So, how do we apply this wisdom ourselves? Start by thinking about those things you've always wanted to do but haven't. Maybe it's learning a new language, asking someone out, or even starting your own business. Make a list. Then, pick one thing from that list and take the first step towards it. It doesn't have to be huge. If you want to learn a language, download a language app and start with just 5 minutes a day. The point is to start.

Let me tell you a story. Sarah always wanted to travel the world. But life kept getting in the way—college, a job, bills to pay. She kept putting it off, thinking there would always be time later. One day, she realized she was 50 and had never been further than the neighboring state. That hit her hard. She decided right then to stop waiting. She saved up, took a sabbatical from work, and spent six months backpacking through Europe. She met amazing people, saw incredible sights, and came back with no regrets about that time.

So, imagine yourself at 80, sitting in a cozy chair, reflecting on your life. What are the things you wish you had done? Now, think about what’s stopping you from doing them. Fear of failure? Lack of time? Those are just excuses. Remember, you'll rarely regret the things you try and fail at. But those things you never try? They'll sit in your heart like lead weights.

Next time you're faced with a choice between the safe path and the one that excites you but scares you a little, remember this quote. Think about how you'll feel when you're 80. Then, take a deep breath, and go for it. You'll thank yourself later.