I WAS at a white collar boxing night over the weekend. Mayhem in the Mellon. And it was deadly. Never mind how well ran it was, the biggest part of its success came down to how well each and everyone one of the fighters performed. I’ve no doubt they all made it to bed that night proud of what they’d achieved hours before. Don’t underestimate the bravery it takes to step out in front of 600 people, jump into a ring and go toe to toe with someone whose main priority is to knock you out. There was an electric atmosphere in the room as each fight passed, and the more I spoke to people through the night one common theme kept creeping up - “I’d have loved to have done this!” I didn’t want to burst their bubble, but I couldn’t let it lie. I knew they were mad looking fighters for the event from the moment they’d decided they were doing it right up to a week ago when someone dropped out. So the opportunity to take part was there for anyone who REALLY wanted to. When I pointed that out the excuses came flowing. And that’s ok. I wasn’t going to ruin their buzz by pointing out the holes their arguments. But I hope I did make them think. At least for a little before the next round arrived. Let's dive into the importance of embracing new challenges, minimising regrets, and recognising that time is fleeting. Have you ever found yourself stuck in a rut, going through the same motions day after day? It's a common trap that many of us fall into. But, embracing new challenges is a sure-fire way to shake things up and add a bit of excitement to our lives. Plus, it's a chance to learn new skills, develop new perspectives, and grow as a person. So, let's embrace the unknown and step outside of our comfort zones. Speaking of comfort zones, they can also be breeding grounds for regrets. When we stick to what we know and avoid risks, we might avoid immediate disappointment, but we also miss out on the potential for greatness. But, taking calculated risks and embracing new challenges can help minimise future regrets. It's better to try and fail than to wonder what could have been. Of course, time is the ultimate enemy in this battle. With each passing year, the window of opportunity becomes a little bit smaller. But, rather than dwell on the negative, let's use that as motivation to live life to the fullest. Take those risks, try new things, and make every moment count. At the end of the day, it's all about personal growth and development. So, let's step out of our comfort zones, embrace new challenges, minimise regrets, and appreciate the time we have. And if all else fails, just remember, life is short, but it's also the longest thing you'll ever do. So, make it count!