When I first joined Apple, David Heath told me

Remember Paul, it’s always easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission

This week I was reminded of the phrase in as slightly different context

If You Want To Achieve Greatness Stop Asking For Permission.

• Stop asking your bosses for permission to implement that new strategy that you know will bring in hundreds of new customers, they won’t give it to you, just take matters into your own hands.
• Stop asking your friends to leave you alone for just a bit so you can focus on your passion, they try to but they won’t leave you alone, just leave and focus on your work (and explain later).

Remember no one is going  to swoop in and declare- Yes, you have permission to do this. Yes, you are allowed to live a life you want.

Well, sorry to break the news to you, that’s now how the world works.

You don’t need permission to live.