Asking Permission to Do Things in Your Business

If you work for yourself, you are the business. Yet you probably find yourself asking permission to do things in your business. No two businesses are the same. They don’t make the same money, or have the same purpose. So why would you rely on someone who doesn’t understand your business or how it works, to give you permission? Those decisions can make or break your success.

I chose this topic because a colleague of one of my clients had taken Fridays off for the summer and really enjoyed that. I told my client that the woman could easily continue taking Fridays off year round. If she was happy with her work productivity, why would she go back to five-day weeks?

My client passed on my “permission” to this woman.

“Isn’t it funny how we need to get “permission” to do certain things in our business,” was my client’s response.

Oh, it’s something, but I’m not sure funny is the right word. The only one who needs to approve of your choices is you. There is a mindset shift necessary to create a sustainable business on your terms, a muscle that we all need to build - it will get stronger the more you use it. 

Asking permission is a cousin of obedience and respect. We learn it growing up from family members, teachers, coaches, and leaders. They teach us to ask before doing, and it’s an inbred habit that we all take part in to a certain extent.


People who ask for too many different opinions become paralyzed. To get going again you have to weed through all of those ideas to find the ones that truly resonate with you. It’s an overwhelming time suck at best.

Who you choose to ask is usually a slanted choice. It’s like asking your mother if you can skip out of crazy Aunt Helen’s afternoon tea party, aware of your mother’s dislike for Aunt Helen.

When you rely on the opinions of others, you set yourself up for disappointment. Others can make suggestions, but they only know what’s right for them and their businesses, not for yours. You still have to make the final decision.

What are you afraid of?

Remember the good old days of Mapquest’s printed directions, or paper maps and atlases? If you took a wrong turn, you turned around, went back, and started again in a different direction. You didn’t search for a payphone to call five people and ask permission to find another way home - at least I hope you didn’t. 

Every business owner can make a mistake or wrong choice. And yes it’s uncomfortable. Discomfort is a sign of being outside your comfort zone.

How to Stop Asking for Permission

We all know someone who has beautiful china sitting in a cabinet, unused and covered in dust. What if it breaks? What if it chips? Don’t give the “what ifs” any power.

The first step is always to ask yourself permission first. If you must, have 2 or 3 unbiased people you can ask, then decide based on their advice and your instinct.

Take responsibility for your business - asking someone else makes them the authority and gives them power. Take it back.

Take action, don’t over-analyze, and avoid the research rabbit hole. Find two or three sources and move forward.

Not sure you’re making the right choices on your own?

Don’t just wing it, make a realistic plan that you can follow. Look at your metrics - the proof is in the numbers. When you track which decisions had positive impacts, you’ll become more confident in your ability to make decisions and stop asking for permission.

Set yourself up for success. If you’re going to take off Fridays, how do you make that manageable? Do you have a virtual assistant you can delegate tasks to? Will you work longer days to handle your work load? Whatever you need to do to make it happen, put it in place ahead of time.

I have given many of my clients permission that they didn’t need but wanted the reinforcement. I have also helped dozens of clients get clear on their vision and goals so they could trust their instincts and make great choices by themselves. If you need support around taking actions towards your goals, schedule a call with me today.

P.S. Ready to stop spinning in place and get to the other side of your goals? Here are several ways I can help:

  1. Download my free weekly planning guide - it will help you become more intentional with your time, develop a clear action plan for your week, and ensure that you are focusing on activities that will move your business forward - Download Now

  2. Join our next CEO Power Planning Session and spend two and a half hours ON your business. During this facilitated workshop, you’ll set and prioritize your next 12-week goals, break them down into an executable action plan and create a resource plan  - Join the Wait List

  3. Apply for the next Close the Gap Program and stay on track to achieve your most important goals. 1:1 support and guidance on prioritizing goals, creating a plan and putting structure and routines in place. Then 12 weeks of group support around execution - Apply today

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