1: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life

2 a: to feel regret or contrition

 b: to change one’s mind 

If you take the definition as a whole, one should first feel regret, then turn from the sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life. God cannot forgive the unrepentant person who is unwilling to be humble before the Lord. If we are focused on Christ then we will be willing to open ourselves up to His ways. Our ways will diminish.