It’s no secret we all have talents, skills, and abilities. But what we do with those skills and abilities, or allow ourselves to do, will define how we live our lives forever.

Starting a business is a task and a half but if there’s one thing I’ve learned so far, it’s that anyone can do almost anything if they truly want to do it. The times of needing certain qualifications, skillsets, or finances to get ahead in life are now over.

The Power of Asking

“Ask and you shall receive” A tale as old as time. We’ve all grown up asking but along the way, we formed a fear and the idea that asking is shameful. You’ve been taught to not let people think you’re needy or appear as you are without.

However, this mentality holds us back severely in life. The world is truly your oyster if you let it be, and you often don’t have what you want simply because you don’t ask for it. How many times have you asked for something small because you thought it was insignificant and wouldn't make a difference in the grand scheme of things? Something such as a leftover event poster or the last few refreshments at a social gathering. In those situations, you probably ended up getting it, right? How often have you been asked for something you spent money, or time, on and you were happy to give it away for free or below its true value?

This principle holds true throughout life. There are so many opportunities in life you could have simply by asking. Often people are so impressed that you were willing to ask when no one else would that they’d even give you more than you asked for in the first place. All you have to do is ask!

The Power of Saying Yes

Similar to asking, saying yes to opportunities presented to you is equally important. However, not doing this is also rooted in fear. A fear of judgment and not being good enough compared to someone seen as more successful.

At the end of the day, the person who is willing to go the extra mile and take a chance in life is the person who gets ahead. We could be so excited about a potential opportunity and convince ourselves that we’re not worth it and say no to everything we’ve dreamed of staring us in the face.

The Power of Giving Yourself Permission

Probably the most important of these three topics is having the ability to give yourself permission. The permission to say yes. The permission to ask. The permission to live!

We are our own worst enemies. Take a second to think of all the dreams and standards you have ever set for yourself over the years. Now think of where you are in life compared to those dreams and standards.

For some of you maybe it’s speaking up in front of a crowd. Whether it’s a large crowd or a group of three people, people care what you have to say. You may not allow yourself to speak up for fear of sounding stupid or on the other end, you may fear coming off as too smart and a know-it-all. But one word or sentence can change your life or someone else’s. This could lead to a new job, a lifelong friendship, or a learning opportunity.

For some of you, it may be jobs or school. You may be stuck in an environment where you aren’t truly happy and can feel in your soul that you’re destined for greater things. However, even though you feel that way, you don’t want to disappoint your family, friends, colleagues, or even yourself. You don’t want to face the embarrassment of potential failure or making a mistake and having to come back with your tail tucked between your legs.

Life is all about failures and mistakes. But if we limit ourselves to our comfort zones, we’ll never reach our full potential or experience even a percentage of what life has to offer us.

Thoughts to Ponder

One of the greatest pieces of advice I ever received was the perspective thought of “Would you make the same decision if you were the only person in existence and the only opinion that mattered?”

What I mean by that is, if you’re unhappy with where you are in life and the opinions of others didn’t exist, would you still stay where you were, or would you be on the next flight out of town?

If that question struck a cord within you, I give you permission to go. I give you the permission you’re seeking to live and do that thing. Whatever you’re worried about as a consequence will be okay. Life will move on and you will continue to grow as you always have.

You have won every battle you’ve faced that seemed impossible or like the end of the world to you. And might I add, being undefeated is a pretty damn good record to head into a fight with! Let your inner child out and start living life unafraid. You got this! I believe in you!

Go Be Happy! I Give You Permission!