Grace in Mistakes - Real Skills Workshop
We covered…
1. Mistakes Are Missed Marks, Not Failures
Mistakes happen when reality doesn’t match our expectations or intentions. They’re not failures—they’re just moments where we didn’t hit the bullseye. And guess what? Missing the mark is how we learn and grow.
Skill: When something doesn’t go as planned, pause and say to yourself: “I missed the mark this time, but I’m learning and growing.” Let that sink in.
2. Recognize Where Your Reactions Come From
For many of us, how we react to mistakes was shaped by childhood experiences—whether it was harsh judgment, perfectionism, or survival stress. But here’s the good news: we can retrain ourselves.
Skill: Ask yourself: “Where did I learn this reaction? Is it still serving me?” Then remind yourself: “I don’t live there anymore.How do I want to feel NOW?”
3. Notice Your Body’s First Reaction
Before we even think about a mistake, our body reacts—maybe with a “grr” of frustration, tight muscles, or a flood of adrenaline. This is primal and unavoidable, but noticing it gives us awareness enough to start shifting from knee-jerk reaction to helpful response.
Skill: The next time you make a mistake, tune into your body’s first reaction. Is it a growl? A freeze? A tightening? Say to yourself: “Oh, there’s my ‘grr’ (or freeze).” Awareness is key.
4. Tap to Calm Your Nervous System
Mistakes trigger our primitive brain—our amygdala fires up before we even have a chance to think. EFT tapping helps us calm that reaction and create space for clarity.
Skill: When you feel triggered by a mistake, start tapping on your collarbone and affirm: “Even though this DID happened, I choose to feel calm and confident anyway.” It’s like hitting a reset button for your nervous system.
5. Shrink Your Recovery Time
Recovery from mistakes doesn’t have to take days—or even hours. With practice, we can move from being stuck in shame or frustration to adapting and responding in minutes or seconds.
Skill: Reflect on how long it takes you to recover after a mistake. Celebrate progress as your recovery time shortens—whether it’s from eight hours to 80 minutes or 18 seconds!
6. Mistakes Are Part of Thriving
If you’re thriving—building relationships, creating something new, or just living fully—you’re going to miss the mark sometimes. That’s not failure; that’s life.
Skill: At the end of each day, ask yourself: “How did I miss the mark today? What did I learn from it?” Celebrate those moments as proof you’re engaged in life.
7. Replace Harsh Self-Talk with Curiosity
We’ve all been there—calling ourselves “stupid,” “a loser,” or worse after a mistake. But what if we replaced that inner critic with curiosity? What if we asked: “What happened here?”
Skill: When self-criticism arises, pause and say: “Some of this is because I care; some of this is because I’m scared.” Then ask: “What would my wise self say right now?”
8. Build Graceful Pathways Instead of Overreacting
Overreaction keeps us stuck—it hijacks our energy and prevents us from addressing reality constructively. Graceful pathways like tapping, breathing, or stepping back help us respond with clarity.
Skill: Create a calming ritual for when mistakes happen (e.g., tapping or deep breathing). Practice it as your go-to when emotions rise.
9. Repair Deepens Connection
Mistakes can actually strengthen relationships when we handle them with honesty and care. Repairing a misstep shows others—and ourselves—that we value connection over perfection.
Skill: If your mistake impacts someone else, acknowledge it sincerely and ask: “How can I help make this right?” This builds trust and resilience in relationships.
10. Context Shapes Our Reactions
Sometimes our overreactions aren’t about the mistake itself—they’re about being depleted or stressed. Recognizing this gives us compassion for ourselves and others.
Skill: When you overreact to a mistake, ask: “Am I tired? Stressed? Depleted?” Then give yourself what you need—rest, support, or even just a moment to breathe.
11. Mistakes Are Invitations to Adapt
Every mistake is an invitation to adapt—to try something new or approach things differently next time. Thriving isn’t about avoiding mistakes; it’s about learning how to respond with grace.
Skill: At the end of each week, reflect on one mistake that helped you adapt or grow: “This is part of growing my thriving life.”
Mistakes are not just inevitable—they’re essential for growth and connection. By practicing these tools with compassion and curiosity, we create space for more emotional freedom and resilience in our lives. Let’s meet our mistakes with grace—and use them as inspiration for thriving!
Thriving Now - Community Center
Grace in Mistakes
Grace in Mistakes - Session Replay 👉 Get your Circle Membership Here Or… Donate $$ to support this community initiative – ...
