November 6, 2024

The biggest failure in life is regret.

The biggest failure in life is regret. Regret is the saddest thing that we will have to endure. And if you realized that we do only live once then you would want to go all out to make this life worth living. Take more calculated risk for the possibilities of achieving the unthinkable. Make the impossible possible and really live life to the fullest with purpose and meaning. That’s life. That’s a life worth doing. That’s a life worth living. I meet with my PORTMAN College students once a month on #askernie .


49 comments:

Jane Raj said...



This is a powerful reminder for us to push our boundaries, live without regrets, and embrace opportunities fearlessly. Your vision encourages us to step beyond our comfort zones and make a meaningful difference, not just in our careers but in our lives as a whole.

The monthly #askernie sessions are always a highlight for anyone striving for greater values and purpose, providing an incredible opportunity to learn from your journey and insights. Thank you for showing us that, with courage and determination, the unthinkable can indeed be achieved.

Jane Raj said...

This is a powerful reminder for us to push our boundaries, live without regrets, and embrace opportunities fearlessly. Your vision encourages us to step beyond our comfort zones and make a meaningful difference, not just in our careers but in our lives as a whole.

The monthly #askernie sessions are always a highlight for anyone striving for greater values and purpose, providing an incredible opportunity to learn from your journey and insights. Thank you for showing us that, with courage and determination, the unthinkable can indeed be achieved.

saras said...

Life is too short for regrets. Embrace every opportunity, take calculated risks, and watch the impossible become possible. Celebrate each bold step toward a life of purpose. That’s when life truly begins to shine.

Hamsavathi Ramalingam said...

Absolutely! Regret truly is one of life’s heaviest burdens. Living with purpose and taking those bold, calculated risks gives life so much more meaning. When we step out of our comfort zones and push the boundaries of what we believe is possible, we open ourselves up to growth and incredible opportunities. Embracing life fully with its challenges and its possibilities is the essence of a life well lived. Here’s to making the most of every moment and shaping a life that we’ll look back on with pride, not regret!

Sucitra Vani Subramaniam said...

Such an inspiring message! It's so true that regret can be one of the hardest things to live with. Taking calculated risks and pushing ourselves to achieve what seems impossible is what makes life truly meaningful. Thank you for always reminding us to live with purpose, and for the valuable insights you share with your students. The #askernie sessions are such a great way to stay motivated and focused on our goals!

Anonymous said...

I really like this because to be honest, regret comes from not taking chances and living with purpose actually helps us enjoy life to the fullest. I’d love to take more risks in my own life, turning every challenge into a chance to grow and make the most of each day, Mr Ernie!

-Teacher Dija-

Anonymous said...

Yes true. At the end of the day, let there be no regrets, only gratitude for the experiences that shaped us.

David Yew said...

Truly inspiring words! Working under such a passionate leader who encourages us to push beyond limits and embrace opportunities is empowering. Your message on living without regret resonates deeply, reminding me to take bold steps and grow both personally and professionally. Thank you, Mr. Ernie, for consistently motivating us to pursue a life full of purpose and meaning. 🙌

Nurul Ain Fatehah said...

I agree; sometimes I also feel regret about certain things, but I have to overcome it by choosing to take risks and live with purpose. I aim to embrace each moment, pursue my dreams and happiness, and create a life filled with meaning.
Nurul Ain Fatehah binti Baharuddin (PORTMAN College Lecturer)

Nurul Ain Fatehah said...

I agree; sometimes I also feel regret about certain things, but I have to overcome it by choosing to take risks and live with purpose. I aim to embrace each moment, pursue my dreams and happiness, and create a life filled with meaning.
Nurul Ain Fatehah binti Baharuddin (PORTMAN College Lecturer)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing, Mr. Ernie. Everyone has their own way of facing failure, but embracing it as an opportunity for growth rather than regret is a powerful mindset. Everything in life teaches us, and I see failure as a turning point for growth. This perspective brings me peace and helps me enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime journey without regret.

Anonymous said...

Indeed! Regret is truly one of the heaviest weights to carry, and living with purpose makes every risk worthwhile. We only have one life, so why not make the most of it? By taking calculated risks, we push our limits and open doors to dreams we once thought were out of reach. Each step forward, even the uncertain ones, brings us closer to a life rich with meaning and fulfillment.

- Nurul Asyikin (PORTMAN College)

Rahm said...

So well said! Life is too short to hold back. Here’s to calculated risks and making every moment matter. Thank you for the inspiration, Mr.Ernie.

Teacher Rahm
PORTMAN International School

Anonymous said...

Absolutely agree! Living without regret means embracing every opportunity and making each moment count. Taking risks, pushing boundaries, and following our dreams are what give life its true purpose and meaning. Thank you for inspiring us to go all out and make every day worthwhile. (Teacher Fikri)

Anonymous said...

So many things are happening around and we are still considered lucky to be living this life. Life is too short to not take any risks or chances. Will I succeed? Who knows, but at least I won’t be regretting it for sure. It’s either a win or a lesson but never a regret. Thank you for the amazing sharing sir!

Aqilla said...

Thank you for such a powerful and motivating message. I wholeheartedly agree with your perspective on living life without regret and embracing the possibilities that come with taking calculated risks. It's a great reminder that we are only here once, and we should aim to make the most of every opportunity.

Aqilla said...

Thank you for such a powerful and motivating message. I wholeheartedly agree with your perspective on living life without regret and embracing the possibilities that come with taking calculated risks. It's a great reminder that we are only here once, and we should aim to make the most of every opportunity.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Mr. Ernie for the sharing. This message reminds me not to hold back out of fear of failure. We each have only one life, and rather than regretting missed opportunities in the future, it’s better to take action now and create a life free of regrets.

Lalitha said...

Your message is incredibly motivating and impactful, Sir. Emphasizing the importance of living without regret and taking calculated risks shows your students that a meaningful life is about more than just following a set path—it's about pushing boundaries and seeking purpose. Meeting with them monthly to reinforce this message demonstrates your dedication to their personal growth, encouraging them to think deeply about their lives, values, and future. You're not just teaching them skills for a career but guiding them toward a life full of intention and fulfillment. It's truly inspiring!

Emy_Snowie said...

Lacking in vision has strong significant positive correlation with failure. Your piece has once again, without any iota of doubt, challenged us to develop personal vision in order to be successful in life. This is a mindset thing! It requires some resilient skills, delaying short term gratifications, and above all refusing to take "NO" as a valid answer no matter the circumstances. (Emily Tan)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this powerful reminder! As someone who revived from giving up with life, I agree that regret is indeed one of the heaviest burdens. Your words are a true inspiration to push beyond our comfort zones and chase dreams that seem out of reach. Today, I'm living as a teacher, a role I dreamt to be which seemed to be far from my reach is in my hands now. From taking up different roles and ended up failing, I finally reached here. One thing I don't regret today is taking up challenges and failing constantly but did not give up until I am at the role which I desired to and that too with your guidance. Thank you for being a good mentor to us and pushing us to move forward together with PORTMAN. - Indhu-

Anonymous said...

I really love hearing all your motivation about life! You are truly someone to be admired and looked up to. I completely agree! Regret is tough to carry, and it’s so important to take bold steps and embrace risks to live with meaning and purpose. Thanks for this reminder to live fully and make the most of every opportunity.

-akma daud-

Ryan How said...

Yes Mr. Ernie, if we want to live a wonderful life in our limited life, then we must take corresponding risks. We only live once, so we should break through and challenge new heights every day, not only to live, but also to not regret.

Sri said...

Yes true Sir, Life is short, and it's so important to take risks, chase our passions, and embrace the opportunities we have. You always encourage the students to step out of their comfort zones and pursue what truly excites them, even if it feels daunting. Every experience, even the failures, can bring growth and meaning.

Anonymous said...

Such a great reminder, Mr. Ernie! Living with purpose, taking smart risks, and avoiding regrets is something we can all strive for. Thanks for inspiring us to make the most of every moment!

Danial said...

Such a great reminder, Mr. Ernie! Living with purpose, taking smart risks, and avoiding regrets is something we can all strive for. Thanks for inspiring us to make the most of every moment!

Anonymous said...

Yes, totally agree with this. Life is short, by embracing this philosophy, we can be more intentional with our time, relationships and goals.

Teacher Rani said...

Life without regrets is surely wonderful to have. It is true about taking calculated risks, and when necessary, we just have to take the leap of faith and see what comes. United we can have bigger breakthroughs and make the impossible surely possible.

Teacher Rani said...

Life without regrets is surely wonderful to have. It is true about taking calculated risks, and when necessary, we just have to take the leap of faith and see what comes. United we can have bigger breakthroughs and make the impossible surely possible.

Vicky Yew said...

Every decision we make is a very important milestone. Regret can't help anything but instead of regretting, think twice before we take move the steps. We are only live once, every path is on the way of learning too.
Thanks for sharing.

Aisha said...

Indeed Mr. Ernie! It’s a great reminder that we should live without fear, take risks, and make the most of every opportunity. Regret only holds us back, so it’s better to live with purpose. - Aisha PIS

fadelah said...

Saya setuju! Penyesalan merupakan antara perkara yang paling sukar diterima dalam hidup. Hidup ini hanya sekali, dan kita perlu memanfaatkan setiap peluang dengan mengambil risiko yang berbaloi untuk mencapai sesuatu yang luar biasa.

_Fadelah_

Teacher Mirah said...


Powerful message Mr Ernie! It’s a deep reminder for me of the importance of living life without regrets and constantly striving for meaningful achievements. Your words about taking calculated risks and pushing the limits to achieve the “unthinkable” are especially relevant for the students at PORTMAN College.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely, this really hits home. Regret can be so powerful, often even more than failure itself, because it’s a reminder of what could have been if we’d taken those chances. Living with purpose and embracing calculated risks – that’s what it’s all about. Every small step outside our comfort zone can lead to something incredible. It’s great that you’re inspiring PORTMAN students to live fully and aim high. Those monthly meetups must be such a motivator for them

Crystal said...

Absolutely! Regret can weigh us down, and living with intention and taking chances is what makes life fulfilling.

Anonymous said...

Agreed! Life feels most meaningful when we take bold steps and go after big goals. Living with purpose, aiming high, and doing things we truly care about, that’s what makes life worth living. No regrets, just a life lived fully.

- Asyraf

Anonymous said...

Thank you Mr.Ernie for sharing this mindful thoughts.One of the hardest things about avoiding failure, pain,
and regret is that we don't truly learn how to prevent them unless we go through them ourselves.
I couldn't agree more that mistakes are part of life. Everyone makes them. Everyone regrets them.
But some learn from them, and some end up making them again.
It's up to us to decide whether we use our mistake to make them advantage in our life or not.
Always it's never too late to start again.

Atiq Afira said...

I agree, regret is the one thing we should aim to avoid. Life finds real meaning when we step beyond our comfort zones, take risks, and go after what seems out of reach. When we fully commit to what we believe in, we open doors to growth, opportunity, and a sense of purpose that makes life deeply fulfilling.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I agree with Mr. Ernie. Regret is often the result of failure in business development. You never know until you try, and even if we face failure, we shouldn’t dwell on regret. Instead, we should focus on continuous improvement, quickly solve problems, and always keep moving forward.

PORTMAN COLLEGE/ PORTMAN INTERNATIONAL/ LITTLE PORTMAN said...

I completely agree—we only live once, so we should move forward with courage. Don't dwell on the past; just do your best every day as if it were your last. Looking back won't change anything. Focus on what you can control and change going forward.

Anonymous said...


Indeed very true. Nothing is impossible in anything we do. If you have the will, you will definitely find the way. I believe in blessings, I believe in hard work, and I believe in determination. GOD will be always there giving his blessing. 😊

Anonymous said...

Yes, I agree with you, Mr. Ernie. Regret is one of the saddest feelings. But there's no point in dwelling on it. What we can do is move forward, think about the actions and solutions that can help us improve, and make sure we don't repeat the mistakes that led to that regret.
-Lyana-

Sofea said...

I resonate deeply with this statement. We all carry regrets, myself included, but dwelling on them only holds us back. Instead, let’s view our regrets as reminders and valuable lessons that guide us to avoid repeating the same mistakes. We are each responsible for our own path. Embrace the chance to do things we've never tried before or have only dreamed of. And one of the best choices we can make is to surround ourselves with wiser people

Kirthiga said...

I totally agreed with you Mr. Ernie, biggest failure in life is regret. We can't go back to our past life and correct the things that we regret now, so as you said we do only live once then we would want to go all and make this life worth. Thank you so much for making us realising this because message.

saras said...

Inspiring words sir! A reminder to live boldly and without regrets.

Daarshini said...

Very true, Mr. Ernie. Regret is definitely more painful than failure. Yes, life is only lived once, so let's try to make the impossible possible. Thank you for your wonderful reminder to us.

Anonymous said...

This statement truly resonates with me. We only live once, so why should we carry regrets? Regret is indeed one of the saddest feelings. When I was younger, I often regretted not putting in enough effort, especially in learning English. At the time, I didn’t see the importance of studying hard until I found myself needing to communicate fully in English with friends, colleagues, clients, and even on stage. I regret not correcting things the first time when I knew there was a better way, and I regret being careless, which slowed my progress. Overthinking led to missed opportunities and procrastination, and I wish I had been more vocal in discussions to drive things forward.

Life has repeatedly given me lessons through setbacks and disappointments. Thanks to Mr. Ernie, I’ve come to realize that I am often the reason behind my own regrets. This self-realization has helped me focus on achieving the things I truly want.

Now, I am grateful to be on a path where I’m pursuing my goals without regret. It’s not perfect yet, but I am moving in the right direction toward what I want and what we all aspire to achieve together. Thank you so much.

Ivy

Gym Chan said...

I remember once someone asked me if a decision he made was right or wrong in a personal matter.

I responded by saying, "There’s no right or wrong when it comes to personal decisions. The most important thing is not to regret it afterwards. If you regret it after deciding, that’s when it becomes the wrong decision.

Life is incredibly meaningful. You’re given life to live, and as time passes, you create memories. While living in the present, you also have the ability to think about the future.

We all know that life is about moving forward; it can never go backwards. So why regret? Make the best decision you can now, move forward, and live the life you want, leaving behind wonderful memories instead of wasting time in regret and stagnation.

I haven't had a perfectly smooth journey, and I believe most of us haven't. Life is meant to have its ups and downs. Think of it as a process, and you decide how to view your life. If you see it as an ugly journey, it will feel that way.

One of the longest-lasting decisions I’ve made in my life is choosing the right person to follow in building my career.

I’ve been in this journey for 11 years and counting. I have no regrets, and I am deeply appreciative and grateful that my decision has not only helped me but also my family and my circle of influence.

The journey is never easy for any worthwhile goal, but it’s filled with wonderful moments when we learn to appreciate both the highs and lows. Let’s move forward and live a better life together with no regrets. ❤️

Anonymous said...

I totally agree. Regret can feel like an overwhelming storm, but it’s important not to let it define us. While reflecting on our past is natural, staying stuck in regret only holds us back. Mistakes are part of life’s learning process, and they offer valuable lessons that can help us grow. Instead of letting regret weigh us down, we should embrace it as a teacher and move forward, knowing that each new day brings an opportunity for growth and change.