Permission Granted
This week in yoga as we moved into final relaxation, my teacher said, “I give you permission to let go.” Hmm, permission…
I don’t consider myself a big risk taker, but the major changes I’ve made and chances I’ve taken in the last decade were because I gave myself permission to choose again if it turned out I was heading in the wrong direction.
Becoming a coach? I told myself I would commit to the training, learn a lot about myself, and gain new skills. If I decided to not become a coach, that was an ok outcome. It was only then, when I gave myself permission and space, that I was able to sign up for the year-long training – and found a profession that’s a terrific fit for my skills and gifts.
Move to Memphis? I liked Memphis a lot, but another big move felt risky. When I told myself if it turned out to be the wrong decision I would move again, I was able to go forward. It’s been an incredible four and a half years in a city that has so much heart. I have been embraced here by wonderful people who have helped me build a successful business and a full life.
This works on a small scale, too. Recently there was an event I wasn’t too sure I wanted to attend. I told myself to show up and gave myself permission to leave after an hour if I wasn’t enjoying myself. I ended up staying for two and a half hours and had a good time meeting some really nice people.
These things were only possible for me because I gave myself permission – in advance – to be wrong and make a new choice. (Bonus points for the times when we do this with grace and mercy and without judgment!) If you have to get every decision right, it’s going to keep you stuck. If you force yourself to live with every choice, good or bad, you’re going to become reluctant to make decisions and you’re going to stay stuck. If you’re cruel to yourself when you get something wrong, you’re going to stop trying and then, you guessed it, you’re going to be stuck.
Where do you need to give yourself permission? Whether it’s to be wrong or change your mind or make a new choice, where can you lighten up a bit and show yourself some grace and mercy?
You have my permission to let go.
p.s. Your comments are most welcome on this post at https://www.facebook.com/jenfrankcoaching