{"id":47810,"date":"2017-04-21T22:32:16","date_gmt":"2017-04-22T05:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=47810"},"modified":"2017-04-21T22:32:16","modified_gmt":"2017-04-22T05:32:16","slug":"the-regret-minimization-framework-in-photography-and-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/04\/21\/the-regret-minimization-framework-in-photography-and-life\/","title":{"rendered":"The Regret Minimization Framework in Photography and Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

A concept I want to share with you in photography: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The regret minimization framework.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. What would you regret on your deathbed at age 90?<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Back view of a hearse (death car)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I got this idea from Jeff Bezos, who has the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcregret minimization framework\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 in his life.<\/p>\n

Summed up the concept is this (paraphrased by me):<\/p>\n

\n I imagine myself at age 90, on my deathbed. Then I think, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Would I regret doing this, or not doing this?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jeff Bezos was talking about this \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcinternet\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 thing. He then started Amazon by quitting his high-paid job. And we all know Amazon.<\/p>\n

2. How to have fewer regrets in photography and life<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Have you ever seen a good potential photo opportunity, and you hesitate and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take the photo?<\/p>\n

That is regret. It is a horrible feeling.<\/p>\n

This happens to me a lot. I either hesitate in street photography (because I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m afraid of upsetting the person, or if the person gets angry at me), or I self-censor myself by thinking: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, that is a boring photo, I shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shoot it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

But fuck it \u00e2\u20ac\u201d whenever you see something interesting, just shoot it.<\/p>\n

3. No regrets in street photography<\/h2>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

In street photography, to take a photo and get yelled at is better than to not take the risk.<\/p>\n

Street photography is all about risk-taking. That is what makes it fun.<\/p>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

If street photography were too easy, it would be no fun. So for me, I take as many risks as I can. Whenever I see a photo that might possibly upset someone, I just go for it.<\/p>\n

One of my mottos in life has been: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d It has worked pretty good.<\/p>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

Because if you always ask for permission for everything in life\u00e2\u20ac\u201d you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do anything. You won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do anything epic, or noble.<\/p>\n

You need to make your own opportunities, by taking risk.<\/p>\n

Learn to love taking risks. And the more risks you take, the more likely you are to hit a home-run.<\/p>\n

4. What is the worst that can happen?<\/h2>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

Always consider the worst-case scenario. You might get yelled at. You might get punked. You might get punched. Whatever.<\/p>\n

Be like Brad Pitt in Fight Club, blood coming out of his mouth\u00e2\u20ac\u201d laughing and saying, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIs that all you got?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

I think every street photographer should know how to take a punch. I remember when I was a kid, I was afraid of being punched. But when I was in high school, at age 16\u00e2\u20ac\u201d me and my buddies started to box for fun. We boxed in my garage, and I got hit unconscious before. Funny thing\u00e2\u20ac\u201d the pain from getting hit in the head isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t as bad as you think it is.<\/p>\n

One of the best practical ways to overcome fear of pain or fear of anything\u00e2\u20ac\u201d start to deadlift<\/strong>. When you deadlift (yes, both women and men can) \u00e2\u20ac\u201d you feel like a badass. You feel like a beast. You feel super-human. There is no better feeling than increasing your \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc1-rep max\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 (the maximum you can lift a certain weight) than anything. Getting into this style of \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcpowerlifting\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 will make you physically more powerful, and mentally more powerful \u00e2\u20ac\u201d with less fear.<\/p>\n

5. MEMENTO MORI<\/h2>\n

\"memento<\/p>\n

MEMENTO MORI: remember that you will die. And you must die.<\/p>\n

Whenever I live my day, I imagine like today is my last day on earth. I contemplate:
\n– What should I do today?
\n– What should I not<\/em> do today?<\/p>\n

I close my eyes every evening\u00e2\u20ac\u201d and wonder, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wake up tomorrow morning, would I regret my life?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

This is what keeps me on-track.<\/p>\n

6. Be epic<\/h2>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

Your life is short. Do cool shit. Be epic. Change the world.<\/p>\n

Believe in your idealistic beliefs. Sacrifice yourself for the collective.<\/p>\n

Your body will die, but your soul and your spirit will live forever\u00e2\u20ac\u201d through the imagination, inspiration, and motivation you give others.<\/p>\n

When I die, I can probably continue my genes through my children. Also continue myself through the information I create\u00e2\u20ac\u201d I hope these blog posts, books, and videos help empower future generations (as well as people of today).<\/p>\n

7. Death on your golden bed<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Imagine you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re at the end of your life. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve accrued 1 billion dollars. You have a spaceship. You have a Rolls-Royce Phantom, 100 Rolex Watches, every single Louis-Vuitton handbag and Hermes scarf. You have a mansion, with 100 rooms. You have all the honors and accolades.<\/p>\n

Yet, no matter how rich or influential you are\u00e2\u20ac\u201d you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to die the same as someone in the hood.<\/p>\n

You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to be surrounded by your loved ones on your golden bed. But you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to die. And you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take all your goodies and your toys with you.<\/p>\n

Conclusion: Regrets I want to avoid in life<\/h2>\n

\"Cindy<\/p>\n

How do you want to be remembered when you die? What regrets do you want to avoid?<\/p>\n

Just avoid regrets in life, and you will live a noble life.<\/p>\n

For me, regrets I want to avoid:<\/p>\n