Stop Giving Into Imposter Syndrome and Start Giving Yourself Permission to Flourish

What would shift for you if you spent more time doing what you're called to do instead of asking for permission to do it? 

Today's atomic essay is about how I caught myself before asking for permission or guidance to do something I didn't need either to do. 

It's strange how we ask other people for permission to do something rather than giving ourselves permission to do what we want to do.

Today's the day after the last day of my first Ship30for30 run. I was close to emailing Dickie and Cole to ask what people typically do after the cohort ends. Do they keep shipping? Stop and take a break until the next one? Fade into oblivion?

Before I sent it, a voice said, "Why does it really matter what other people are doing, Charlie? What do you want to do?"

I'm glad more of my inner monologue voices prompt me with questions like that these days instead of just haranguing me about my inadequacies. The question prompted me to reflect on the fact that instead of going with what I wanted to do, I was obliquely asking someone else for guidance or permission to do something.

I knew what I wanted to do: keep shipping. I've built up a cadence, enjoy writing, and have no shortage of things to say and write about. There was no reason for me to stop shipping and every reason to keep going.

So I didn't send the email. I didn't look to see what other people are doing. I simply chose between writing about this or the other topic I had in mind. This one's hotter than the other, so it won.

What would happen for you if you spent more time doing what you're called to do and less time asking for permission to do it?

This post is part of a series of “atomic essays” published on Twitter. The previous post from this series is about brave people in the workplace.