Article

Stop Asking for Permission! Do What You Want with Your Life

This is my call to action, for all those with the desire to "do something bigger" with their lives.

When we were children, permission-asking was "part of the gig". I get that. It makes sense. Our parents (or guardians, or teachers) had bigger brains and tons more life experience. In adulthood, to ask permission -- constantly -- is to cede our freedom to another person (or business, or industry). The only way to achieve greatness is to go beyond the 40-hour-per-week, working for others, life structure. When we work for ourselves (even if -- starting out -- it is "working on the side" for ourselves), we have the potential to build an income stream that makes us money twenty-four hours a day. (When we work for others, we are merely selling a portion of our time -- the portion when we're most awake. Our most-valuable time! There's nothing funny about that!) What to do? Read the rest of this article for my ideas on just that!

Ways to Break Out of Asking for Permission

Steve Pavlina has written that the best way to avoid the dreaded drudgery of working for others is to realize that we generate income by providing value -- not time! Find that thing you do that really provides value to the world and get people to pay you for it.

Here are some ways to do that:

Publish Great Online Articles (like here on Wizzley, or on HubPages, or InfoBarrel, or your own site),
Start a Dog Sitting/Walking/Grooming/Petting/Tickling Business (Okay! Making money "dog tickling" is probably a little far-fetched.),
That Thing You Love Doing? Go Do It!

I know I am simplistic, but this is how doing what you love gets done!

Books to Help You Stop Asking for Permission

Making a Living Without a Job, revised edition: Winning Ways for Creating Work That You Love
This is the book that gives many that first "nudge" to strike out on their own.
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (Expanded and Updated)
Timothy Ferris shows how to alternate between periods of massive action and "mini-retirements" to achieve life balance.
Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion
Internet wine guru Gary Vaynerchuk's guide to how to make a living from your passions.
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
This is the book that helped me become a faster, more courageous writer. It can help you, too! (Whether you are a writer or not!)

What NOT Asking for Permission Can Do for You

Broaden your horizons and world view,
Make you less afraid, by putting yourself more "in-charge" of your own destiny,
Make you more mature,
Introduce you to freedom, which is way better than security.

Links to Aid in Your Quest to Stop Asking for Permission

(and Start Living Your Dreams!)

The Art of Non-Conformity
Author of The $100 Startup, Chris Guillebeau documents his experiences as an entrepreneur and world traveler. He has never worked for anybody but himself, and he shows you how to follow his example, too!

An Important, Sarcastic Article from The Onion
"Find The Thing You're Most Passionate About, Then Do It On Nights And Weekends For The Rest Of Your Life" shines a light on the mistake most people make around their passion. Most never "go for it!", and thus, struggle through life, feeling stifled.

StevePavlina.com
Motivational speaker and author Steve Pavlina shares his ideas on how to work your passions and live your dreams.

4-Hour Work Week
This site is dedicated to the philosophy of 4-Hour Work Week prophet Timothy Ferris. The site includes tools to help you plan and attain your dream lifestyle.

Great People Who Don't Ask for Permission

Look at These Successful People and Know You Could Be More Like Them Than You Think!

Bill Gates
Jerry Seinfeld
Shakira
Steve Jobs
Paula Deen
Anthony "Tony" Robbins
Kathy Griffin
The Williams Sisters
President Bill Clinton
Aziz Ansari
Louis CK

People Who Ask for Permission Everyday

The sandwich shop employee,
Career custodians,
Life-long customer service reps,
That talented, creative person you know with money in the bank, but who feels she has too many responsibilities to take a chance on herself.

Don't be these people! Don't fall into these roles. Make a difference with your life, for yourself, and for your family. Make a plan to work your way out of your work-a-day situation and into the life of your dreams! Stop asking for permission!

Updated April 26, 2013

What Do You Think of Asking for Permission?

Regi_BApr 26, 2013

Awesome!

frankbeswickApr 26, 2013

I remember telling two of my siblings that I was set on being a writer, only to be told "You can't write." I ignored them, thankfully. To be fair, my parents were supportive.

Regi_BApr 26, 2013

It's "live and learn" thing, isn't it, Brenda! Thank you for the comment!

BrendaReevesApr 25, 2013

I used to feel I needed everybody's approval before I could do something. It's the same thing. I got over that thank God, but not before I turned down some really good opportunities.

Ways to Break Out of Asking for Permission

Here are some ways to do that:

Publish Great Online Articles (like here on Wizzley, or on HubPages, or InfoBarrel, or your own site),
Start a Dog Sitting/Walking/Grooming/Petting/Tickling Business (Okay! Making money "dog tickling" is probably a little far-fetched.),
That Thing You Love Doing? Go Do It!

I know I am simplistic, but this is how doing what you love gets done!

Links to Aid in Your Quest to Stop Asking for Permission

(and Start Living Your Dreams!)

StevePavlina.com
Motivational speaker and author Steve Pavlina shares his ideas on how to work your passions and live your dreams.

4-Hour Work Week
This site is dedicated to the philosophy of 4-Hour Work Week prophet Timothy Ferris. The site includes tools to help you plan and attain your dream lifestyle.

People Who Ask for Permission Everyday

The sandwich shop employee,
Career custodians,
Life-long customer service reps,
That talented, creative person you know with money in the bank, but who feels she has too many responsibilities to take a chance on herself.

What Do You Think of Asking for Permission?

Regi_BApr 26, 2013

Awesome!

frankbeswickApr 26, 2013

I remember telling two of my siblings that I was set on being a writer, only to be told "You can't write." I ignored them, thankfully. To be fair, my parents were supportive.

Regi_BApr 26, 2013

It's "live and learn" thing, isn't it, Brenda! Thank you for the comment!

BrendaReevesApr 25, 2013

I used to feel I needed everybody's approval before I could do something. It's the same thing. I got over that thank God, but not before I turned down some really good opportunities.