Woulda Coulda Shoulda

“I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let’s face it.” -Terry Malloy in On The Waterfront

“Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets.” —Arthur Miller, The Ride Down Mt. Morgan

Does the below monologue sound familiar? Or some form of it? Have you heard or said something similar? I used a financial example (a) because it comes up fairly often around me (I have a background in finance and investing) and (b) a neighbor friend just said it to me yesterday morning. (I paraphrased slightly, but not much.)

I think it’s applicable to any type of goal or dream or burning desire we have in life…

“Aw man, I knew this stock was gonna go up. I just knew it. I watched it every day, I was reading articles, I know the industry really well…I told my wife, I told friends, I was like, we should invest big. At the time, it was like $3 a share and now it’s over $70! If I just…(insert whatever excuse you choose), I woulda invested.

“If I woulda invested, then I coulda been done. Outta here. Rich…Of course, I didn’t do anything.”

(Long ass pause.)

“Motherf-cker. I shoulda listened to myself.”

Don’t woulda coulda shoulda.

Go make your art.

P.S. – To watch one of the greatest film acting scenes of all time, click Here.