Ten Things To Give Yourself Permission for Today

(In No Particular Order)

1. Permission to be “imperfect”

Move from the crippling limitations of unproductive selfcriticism to the calm, peaceful space of self-acceptance. Renowned author and speaker Brené Brown describes this as a journey to “enough.” You are enough — just as you are. Take away the shoulds, the musts, and the focus on personal lack or scarcity. If you believe that wherever you are and whoever you are is enough, you will be freed from the anxious pressure of having to be something else.

2. Permission to “care” without “carrying”

This is a tough one for all of you caring, compassionate souls. You want your family, your friends etc. to be happy, to feel good — you care deeply — but ultimately you cannot control how they think, feel and walk through the world. When we release responsibility and allow others to experience what they may experience (both good and bad), we are in effect holding them capable. Letting go of responsibility for that which we can't control in others will help us live in a more peaceful state of mind. We can still “care” deeply without “carrying” the weight of others' emotions and experiences.

3. Permission to stop hauling around old baggage

Give yourself permission to let go of the things weighing you down. Put the old baggage away and out of sight in your basement or storage area. There is no positive reason to carry it around with you in the present or future.

4. Permission to forgive yourself

Whatever it is you are holding in your mind as a screw-up, a transgression, a bad relationship…forgive yourself. Without forgiveness, it is difficult to move on. “Forgiveness does not change the past, but it can enlarge the future.” — Paul Boese, businessman/writer

5. Permission to consider what YOU need

Many of us were brought up to put our needs last. Consider this: What might happen if you gave yourself the same care, compassion and consideration you give to others?

6. Permission to play bigger

Life begins at the end of our comfort zone. As author Marianne Williamson said, “Your playing small doesn't serve the world.” Acknowledging and stepping fully into your signature brilliance — the positive qualities that make you, you — is the key to success. By being more “you,” you can contribute more to the world. 7. Permission to make a mistake

A failure is simply an opportunity for learning. When we adopt a growth mindset, we objectively identify where we are now, then focus our brains on what we can learn and how we can improve. Release your self-imposed pressure and give yourself permission to mess-up. Our biggest learnings often come from our biggest mistakes.

8. Permission to dream without limits

Who can tell what is really possible for our lives? All through time people have done what was once considered “impossible.” Ask yourself the question, “If anything were possible for my life, without limits, what would be there, what would I want?” You don't have to know HOW you will achieve your vision; simply declaring it will set energy in motion.

9. Permission to take some time for YOU

It's okay to take some time for you. There's a reason the flight attendant tells us to put on our oxygen mask before helping others. By taking care of ourselves, we are better able to contribute to others. Self-care contributes to resiliency and the ability to weather the tough times and bounce back more easily and fully.

10. Permission to be okay with not “knowing”

As uncomfortable and out of control as it can feel to exist in “unknowns,” the unknown is where the magic lies. Trust yourself. Trust in the power of the Universe and let go of the need to know everything. Live in the moment. Staying present and trusting that everything will unfold as it is meant to is a liberating and freeing perspective.

Jan Carley, the Inner Coach of Barbershop, is the author of Harmony from the Inside Out and The Overtone Effect. She sings lead in Lions Gate Chorus and Fandango Quartet (Region 26). Both her books are available for purchase through Sweet Adelines International Sales, www.sweetadelines.com/shop.