JST 174 – What have you been waiting for permission for?

“It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.”
Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper

The audiobook version of RESULTS: Think Less, Achieve More includes numerous ‘extemporaneous’ sections; places where I enhanced, updated or added to the content in the original book. My purpose in this was simple: I wanted to add value to the audiobook; to make it so that it offers value over and above that which is available in the hard copy. This is also one of the reasons why I have it written into my contract that I will be the ‘voice artist’ on my audiobooks (Audible prefer that the author not read the book, and opt for actors, presumably because authors can be difficult to manage.)

I was delighted with the ‘off-piste’ content in the RESULTS audiobook, and was telling one of my clients about it, when they asked, “Were the publishers OK with that?” My response surprised them. I said, “I didn’t ask their permission, because I didn’t want to put them in the difficult position of having to say ‘no’”. While I always use my common-sense in such situations, I can give you numerous examples of things that have turned out beautifully, and that wouldn’t have happened if I’d asked for (or waited for) permission.

Sometimes, I’ll ask a client something like this: “What have you been waiting for permission to do?” It turns out that there are all sorts of things they’ve been waiting for someone else to give the OK to…

– Waiting for permission to create your course or product
– Waiting for permission to live life the way you want to
– Waiting for permission to start your business
– Waiting for permission to ask someone out on a date
– Waiting for permission to speak your truth
– Waiting for permission to raise your prices
– Waiting for permission to write the book
– Waiting for permission to be true to yourself
– Etc

And here’s the interesting thing. When I ask, “Whose permission have you been waiting for?”, they often don’t know. So many of us have been educated to defer to authority; given the idea that there’s someone else who knows best what’s right for us. But here’s the thing: Nobody knows better than you how you should live your life. Of course we have agreed sets of rules and agreements for the good-order of society; that makes sense. But the things people are waiting for permission to do aren’t typically robbing banks; they’re waiting for permission to be true to themselves.

And here’s the thing: If you’re waiting for someone else to give you permission to be true to yourself, you’re going to be waiting a long time.

What have you been waiting for permission to do, be or have?

Have you considered the possibility that you don’t have to wait?

What would you do if you suddenly realised that you are the only person who can give you permission to be yourself?

Have a wonderful day
Big love
Jamie

Jamie Smart
Sunday Times Bestselling Author, Speaker and Executive Coach

PLUS: Whenever you’re ready… here are 4 ways I can help you get the clarity and results that matter to you:

1. Hire me to speak at your event
If you want an entertaining and impactful keynote speech or breakout session for your conference, offsite or town hall meeting, email nikki@jamiesmart.com and type “Keynote” in the subject line.

2. Apply for the 2017 intake of the Certified Clarity Coach Training Programme
If you want to be part of the class of 2017, this year’s intake of the Certified Clarity Coach Training Programme starts in September. You can find all the details and get your application in here: https://www.jamiesmart.com/clarity-coach-training-sh/

3. Join the Exponential Practice Professional Group
Join the Exponential Practice Professional Group and connect with the growing community of like-minded transformation professionals who are passionate about exponentially increasing their grounding, impact and their livelihood. You can join for free at www.JamieSmart.com/expo

4. Join the next intake of Project Glasswing
We’re putting together a new practice-building case study group at Coaching Package Power this month. Stay tuned for details… If you’d like to work with me and my team on growing your practice… email nikki@jamiesmart.com and type “Project Glasswing” in the subject line.

PLUS: check these out

Get your free Exponential Practice Scorecard book www.JamieSmart.com/scorecard

Listen to the Results Mindset Podcast www.JamieSmart.com/resultspodcast

Listen to Your Exponential Practice Podcast www.JamieSmart.com/podcast

Read the first 2 chapters of my Sunday Times Bestseller RESULTS: Think Less, Achieve More www.JamieSmart.com/instantresults