Bronze medalists feel happier than silver medalists because they imagine finishing fourth instead, while silver medalists imagine winning. Regret is painful but useful: it shows you how to do better next time. When regret hits, don't beat yourself up. Use it to change what comes next.
Why are third-place finishers happier than second-place finishers? It's called counterfactual thinking, imagining what could have happened. Bronze medalists think, at least I didn't come in fourth. That's a downward counterfactual, imagining something worse. Silver medalists think, if only I had pushed a little harder. That's an upward counterfactual, imagining something better. Regret is an upward counterfactual. It hurts, but done right, it can help. Because by imagining how things could have gone better, We can do better next time. So the next time you feel regret and think, if only, don't ignore the feeling and don't beat yourself up over it. Use the feeling to fuel your next move.
