New Delhi, March 13 -- In the high-pressure environment of the 2020s, many of us suffer from hindsight guilt. We look back at decisions made years ago-in our careers, our parenting, or our personal finances-and feel a sense of shame. However, the legendary poet Maya Angelou offers a vital psychological lifeline with this quote. It serves as a reminder that personal evolution is a tiered process. You cannot apply the wisdom of a 40-year-old to the actions of a 20-year-old. This perspective is currently trending in "slow productivity" circles because it combats the burnout associated with perfectionism.

When we "do the best we can," we are operating at the peak of our current capacity. To "know better" requires the humility to learn and th...