Do you remember when you were at school and your handwriting was deemed good enough that you were eventually given full permission to use a pen? In spite of the fact we may well have been using pens to our heart’s content at home, being allowed to use a pen at school for school work was the pinnacle of that academic year. You had made it. At my children’s primary school they go one step further and pupils are formally issued with a pen license!

Sometimes at work and in life, we are unwittingly waiting for someone or something to give us permission before we take action. Sometimes we are waiting for an extra qualification before we apply for a new role or start a new business. Sometimes we are waiting for a promotion before we have the courage to challenge others at work. Sometimes we are waiting for someone else to approach us at an event before we engage in a conversation. Sometimes we are waiting for someone else to notice how bad we are feeling before we ask for help. The list could go on.

And yet, it’s surprisingly empowering to give ourselves permission to be courageous, confident and compassionate. We can’t get a license. So perhaps stop waiting for it to happen. Just go and get it.