One Reason Why You Haven’t Launched Out On Your Dreams

For years I thought I needed a permission slip to succeed. I knew my capabilities. I knew my talents. I was fully aware that if given the opportunity I could achieve something great with my own resources, but something neutralized me. Something deep in my mind imprisoned me from believing I could step out on my dreams without anyone’s approval or permission.

For whatever reason, I didn’t question the fact that other people were doing what it was I wanted to do. I guess I believed they were chosen in some way, but I was still awaiting my divine moment—you know, the burning bush experience where the voice comes out of the heavens and says, “You may now launch out on your dream.” I assumed it was fine for others to do what I wanted to do, but it wasn’t fine for me.

I still prepared myself for my future even when I was waiting on it. My ambition would not let me rest, so I learned and worked for years on all my resident skills until the day I finally let go of the idea that chained me to the floor. I’ll never forget the day it really hit me. I thought, “Wow, it’s all up to me. Nobody is going to help me, or do this for me. If I sit here any more, I’ll die here. I have to step out.” That was the end of it.

I don’t know where I picked up the idea that I somehow needed someone’s approval or permission to do what I wanted to do with my life. I guess when you’re raised around institutions, you’re always being told when and how to do something. I was also the child of two divorces, so my access to consistent father figures was limited. There was no man to pat me on the back and say, “Go for it, Son!”

Ultimately, the fault is my own. It was an idea that I embraced, and it was my choice to remain in bondage to the plastic chains that I could’ve easily broken and launched out a whole lot earlier than I did. I may have been told I could do anything, and I may have believed it, but I didn’t think it was okay for me to do it. So I waited for circumstances to come together and let me know that I had approval to launch. They never did. Other circumstances came together, but it was more like thorns being placed in my comfort zone to drive me out of neutrality!

I was self-deceived, but there was always something inside me that warred against the lie. I created my own limitations, but these were only limitations of the mind. I knew what I capable of, but I questioned whether providence would let me realize it. Again, I saw others living out my goals, but for me, I assumed that I had to be qualified. I was just waiting for someone to grant me permission.

Is this you? Are you waiting on someone, or something, outside of you to give you the go ahead to launch out on your own? If so, then let this article serve as your permission slip. You can do whatever it is you set your mind to if you’re willing to do the work that’s necessary to achieve it.

The only one you’ll have to satisfy is life itself, and life is beckoning—even daring—you to step out of your comfort zone and ride the rough waves of personal achievement. The battle is between you and life, which means the battle is ultimately against you and whatever plastic chains are holding you back. Go for it, Son!