Loosening the Grip

I had a bit of a lightbulb moment this week—on the golf course, of all places.

During a lesson, my fabulous instructor Marissa (from Marissa's Golf Movement) pointed out that I was gripping the club so tightly, it was actually heating up. (Who knew that was possible?) The tension in my hands was getting in the way of my swing. The more I held on, the worse my swing got. She had to keep reminding me "soft and slow." Sound familiar?

Later, I heard Lesli on the Addicted to the Mouse podcast say something similar—she tightens her neck so much on Space Mountain at Disney World to keep it from jerking around, that she leaves the ride feeling more stressed than thrilled.

And I’ve ruined a piece of pottery the same way: gripping the clay with too much pressure, when what it needed was a steady, relaxed hand.

It made me think: we do this in our careers too.

We often hold on too tightly when we step into leadership—clinging to tasks we used to own instead of trusting our teams.

We hold on too tightly to jobs that no longer fit, afraid of what might happen if we let go.

We hold on because it feels safe, or familiar, or because letting go means facing uncertainty.

But just like with golf or roller coasters, holding on too tight doesn’t protect us—it limits us.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve been learning this lesson in real time. Letting go of certain parts of my business wasn’t easy—but it made space for something bigger. This year, I hired 10 incredible coaches and facilitators, a brilliant program assistant, and 3 amazing summer interns. The moment I loosened my grip, the impact and energy expanded far beyond what I could have done alone.

Just like with golf, roller coasters, or pottery—holding on too tight doesn’t protect us. It distorts things. It breaks momentum. Sometimes, it breaks us.

So here's my invitation to you this month:​
What are you holding too tightly?
What would happen if you loosened your grip—even just a little?

You might just find a better swing, a smoother ride, a more centered pot, or the freedom to lead and live more fully.