My biggest regret is not starting earlier

Most often we regret the things we didn’t do, rather the things we did. Even though I bought my first buy-to-let property at 18, I was trying to hedge my bets by continuing to work. It was a part-time effort, and I regret not giving it 100%. It wasn’t until I fully committed, quit my job and started my business that I made any real progress, and by that time, I’d wasted almost a decade.

Over the years, I’ve learned more from giving things a go and getting it wrong than I ever have from a book or course. By not going for it, I only delayed my chance to learn. Failures will always happen, so it’s better to get them out the way when you’re young and have the time to recover, and put the lessons into practice so you can come back stronger.

To me, those people putting off doing what they really want to be doing is like a never-ending gap year; why are you taking another year out? You’ll not be in a better position a year from now, you’ll just have one less year of doing what you really want, so why wait?

I’ve never understood the obsession with waiting. Waiting for the right time, the perfect moment, retirement… whatever excuse people tell themselves so they can keep living in neutral. There is no perfect time, and more importantly, tomorrow isn’t promised.

If you want to start a business, do it. If you want to leave a job that drains the life out of you, walk away. If you want to travel, book the flight. You’ll never be as young, as bold, or as capable as you are right now. We’ve created this myth that life begins at 65, when in reality, by then, you’re knackered, your knees hurt, your back’s gone, and you’re too tired to do the things you dreamed of doing in your prime. Why the hell would you wait for that?

From a business standpoint, the time to take risks is when you can afford to get it wrong and bounce back. You’ve got energy, time, and the ability to recover. Most of my biggest business lessons came from bold moves I made early—moves that didn’t always work, but taught me everything. Playing it safe might protect you short term, but it’ll rob you of the real growth that comes from going for it.

I watch people put their dreams on pause, thinking they’ll start them later. But life doesn’t work like that. You get this one shot, and you either make something of it, or you don't. I don’t want to wake up in my 60’s or 70’s with regrets about the things I didn’t do. I take action now because I know the clock’s ticking. In business and in life, fortune favours the bold. Always has.

My family share our dreams and set timescales against them. We put them down on paper and take steps to make them happen. Whether it’s a big adventure, learning something new, or a complete change of direction, we’re turn dreams into goals, and get cracking making them reality.

So, stop waiting. You don’t need permission. You need courage. Life isn’t a rehearsal, and the only thing guaranteed is that you’ll never get this moment back. Take the shot. Make the call. Chase the opportunity. Because one day, the only thing left will be the chances you didn’t take.

Live now…the clock’s ticking!