Permission To Be Human

While having lunch with my friend Kathy Worm yesterday, she commented, “So often, it comes down to giving yourself permission to be human.”

We’d been chatting about a wide range of topics: balancing work with other creative pursuits, managing stress, the importance of being a good fit with the culture of your organization, and happiness.

She was dead-on. It was the common thread in our conversation.

It’s also one of the hardest parts of being human. Kind of ironic when you think about it … we need to give ourselves to permission to be what we are. (This human thing gets tricky ;-).)

Here’s the thing though. Life is easier when you give yourself the green light to be human.

You will be less than perfect despite your best efforts. You will at times stumble and make a mess. And horror of all horrors, you might even outright fail.

And you know what?

It’s all good. Progress, growth and success are never straight lines rising upwards without a single dip.

Next time you find yourself struggling really listen to your mental chatter. Chances are you’ll hear that you’ve been withholding permission to be human.

Grant it.