Dear Friends,

If you enjoy this month's insight, you'll love the new report I've written – It's Ok to Want What You Want. Click here to download your copy.

By the way, this month's insight is one of my most popular – I originally wrote it in 2003. Enjoy this new version of an old favorite.

My best to you!
Claudette

Give Yourself Permission

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

Growing up, permission slips were essential to school life – the key to participating in special projects, field trips or out of state class trips. To take part in any adventure outside of the classroom, my parents had to sign the slip. But times change – now I can sign my own permission slip.

Having full permission frees us and can exhilarate us. But sometimes we forget it's ours, and we hold back from allowing ourselves to do, be or have what we want, particularly if that desire takes us far outside of our comfort zone.

How many times have you wanted something, maybe a new car, a satisfying job or a great relationship, and then denied yourself permission to go after it or even ask for it?

In my experience, our beliefs can block us from allowing ourselves permission. Consider these ten common beliefs:

• I can't afford it.
• I don't deserve it.
• What will other people think?
• "In my family, we don't want things like that. My parents had the same sofa for twenty years. Why should I be any different?"
• What if I get it and decide that I don't like it?
• I might fail.
• I might succeed.
• I can't have THAT - it's too big, too small, too expensive, too fill-in-the-blank.
• I'll have to step outside of my comfort zone.
• And the essence of all resistance: "I am afraid."

The antidote to these limiting beliefs is simple: You get to want what you want. You get to want what you want without judgment, explanation or justification.

Take these steps to get started:

1. Recognize what you want.
2. Notice self-criticism.
3. Give yourself permission.
4. Take the action required -- for example, asking, buying, giving.
5. What opportunities open up for you? What opens up inside of you?

Following these steps might lead to an eruption of discomfort and fear. That's okay. These emotions signal growth -- you are edging your way out of your comfort zone and taking a step toward the unknown. And as you move forward, the fear and discomfort will probably morph into positive emotions – fun, joy or excitement.

Each time you acknowledge your desire, stop yourself from judging it. Then as you act on it, you enter an abundant life flow. Belief systems that limit us complicate matters and have us believe that what we want will continue to elude us.

The ability to recognize what you want and give it to yourself is a skill. Like most new skills, it requires building the "muscle." I promise you – the more you exercise this muscle, the easier it will be to move.

In the end, only you can give yourself permission to lead your life based on your deepest desires. What's the permission slip you're going to sign today?

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Products & Services

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Whether you're an individual or part of a team, looking a better career or a better relationship, the MBTI will help you make more fulfilling choices based on your innate personality preferences. For more information, please visit http://www.metavoice.org/mbriggs
   
• A Guide to Getting It: A Clear, Compelling Vision. Has your vision for your life gotten a bit foggy? This book is a great resource – tune up your vision and reignite your life! To purchase, please go to  http://www.metavoice.org/store
   
• Coaching Services. Does your career need a tune up? Your business a realignment? How about your passion and purpose – could they stand to be reignited? I'd love to offer you a complimentary coaching consultation. Please contact me directly at 781-316-1923 or write to  claudette@metavoice.org to book your 30 minutes with me.
   

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Useful Resources

• Fre^e Report: It's OK to Want What You Want. If you enjoyed this month's column, make sure to click here for my new report.
   
• Excuse Me, Your life Is Waiting by Lynn Grabhorn. Lynn's book charts a course for transitioning your life from the negative to positive by focusing on what you want. Powerful book - a must read!

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