I made a video talking about reflection on one’s past mistakes. I expand on that here:

Mistakes can include:

• making decisions or doing things you knew you weren't prepared enough for
• making a decision that had way too much risk for way little reward.
• making a decision that ex-ante you wouldn't have made that decision (as in, looking at the situation beforehand, without the benefit of hindsight or knowing how things turned out, you may have taken a DIFFERENT course of action)

You might find sometimes that saying “Well I did what was best at the time” isn’t true

Because surely there was times where you did what was best and it didn't work out.

But maybe there was a time where 80% or 90% of you agree with your decision.

But there was a small sliver which you probably should have listened to. And not done something, and avoided that mistake.

It would be anything:

• making an investment
• saying something to someone
• anything going against your gut instinct

On the two mental models that have helped…

1. Apologize genuinely.
   1. It’s funny; by almost not caring about their forgiveness, you drive it to be more internally-driven than external, which is probably net better.
2. Actually improving yourself to be a better person tomorrow than you were yesterday.
   1. I think a lot of people virtue signal that they improve or grow.
   2. And the fact of the matter is it's very difficult.
   3. Especially after you are outside of your young adulthood. To grow and improve.
   4. This is not to say you aren't persuadable or influenced easily.
   5. But it is not intuitive to tangibly improve your perspective or your behavior in meaningful ways. It's doable but it is not easy.

That's sort of how I've approached reflection of my past mistakes.