Is there such a thing as too much grace?
The subtle killer of inspired action
Question: What’s the number one reason coaches fail? And what’s the number one key to success for a coach?
Ans: The Key to Failure: taking yourself seriously. The Key to Success: taking your work seriously.
As I read from “The Prosperous Coach” those questions and answers, I asked myself the questions, “Have I taken my work serious enough?” and then “What would I have to change to take it more seriously?” and then “What is serious work for me?”
Have you heard the phrase, “Give yourself grace”? If you follow my social media, you would have at least read one post discussing this topic. Grace My Friend Grace.
It was a topic of mine for a while because I had to learn to move from an action-oriented motivational self to an inspired action-oriented self, which took a lot of grace. I am putting it mildly.
I recently came across an influencer’s content where he stated that people are struggling with getting back into the game of motivation – post-COVID. I dislike the word motivation because it triggers an autoimmune response within me of “not enough”; therefore, to avoid feeling like I’m not doing “enough,” I avoid the word like the plague. If I jump on the crazy train of “not enough,” I risk falling into an emotional pit of shame. So, where is grace in all this babbling?
When was the last time your reinvented some portion of yourself? If it’s been a while, it’s because it is difficult. It means you must throw out the window a series of beliefs and concepts you have aligned with for years. That initial shock to the emotional and intellectual system can be overwhelming. This is why so few people truly embrace making new life-enhancing decisions. The path seems less wobbly if they only stay put – keep living the day in and day out of existence and allowing the boredom to cover them like the skin on an apple. If this is you, no worries, you can still make a new decision.
Having grace with yourself is an act of compassion with yourself. It’s absent of shame and guilt. The fresh breath of ease allows us to surrender to a circumstance without beating ourselves up. It’s 100% understanding that you/I can suffer from the human condition because we are human! Self-forgiveness isn’t even grace, for that is past deeds being forgiven; grace is right here, right now. The needed relief within the current moment. It’s beautiful. It’s the gateway to a new experience without carrying the heavy baggage of regret and remorse.
This brings me to my original questions and my pondering about them. When is there too much grace? Too much grace isn’t grace; it’s when we have turned grace into an excuse not to take advantage of inspired action. I had to ask myself if I was taking my coaching business seriously because, for a long time, I felt like the stranded hiker that just climbed out of the ravine who realized that the recent traumatic events had changed them. That the magnitude of change was more than expected, yet I had come through – but was I done? For me, I realized it was time to disengage from my reasoning that supported my grace initially; those reasons were:
- My body needs to rebuild to a place that works for me at this age with this life experience.
- I am suffering from the impact of PTSD.
- I don’t know where to begin.
- I can’t focus with menopause.
My reality was that I had overcome those reasons; now, it was about understanding how to be accountable for inspired action by implementing the effort when the inspiration arrives and not putting it off for another time or another day. To not put other people, places, and things in front of my dreams.
If we continue to live in a phase of too much grace, we won’t proceed to the next level of achievement and gratification for ourselves. It no longer is grace but excuses. And this is the fine line I am expressing today.
For you: Did you come through a challenging situation? Did you heal the most wounded areas; physically, emotionally, and mentally? Is it time to level up to your next adventure and truly let go of the old reasoning that pulled you through?
My first objective is to define what taking my business seriously is for me. What is your first objective?
Enjoy the journey; You are worth it!
Susan Denee
Emotional Elevation Coach
