I’m taking permission this year to exercise each day. A couple of years ago, I made the commitment to exercise at least five days per week. However, this is one of the disciplines that seems to erode when “crunch time” comes with work or family. One of the things that I’ve learned over this time is that when I don’t take care of myself, somebody always pays — whether it’s me, my family, colleagues at work, or my students. Rather than put myself in last place here, I’m going to put myself first.
Half Baked
Faking It Till I Make It!
Category Archives: Take Permission
Taking Permission: Setting Goals
Today, I am taking permission to set meaningful, achievable, and measurable goals for this year and to hold myself accountable to diligently use the means available to achieve these goals.
I’ve hated goal setting for most of my life. This is because I am a recovering perfectionist. I haven’t wanted to have to admit failure. So, I haven’t wanted to be accountable. In the past, I also haven’t done a good job of separating goals from desires.
Properly done, goal setting should provide a road map for the investment of time and resources into what really matters. This shouldn’t be the bottleneck that it has been for me often, but it should inform my plans and desires and release me to accomplish them.
Take Permission: Take Care of Myself
I’m taking permission to take care of myself. In the last couple of years, I’ve found that more self-care is necessary to be able to perform at an optimal level than I ever thought permissable, much less necessary. No, I don’t think I’m turning into a narcissist. Far from it. What I have observed is that if I don’t perform the daily routines of prayer, reading the Scriptures, reading for my own growth and development, exercising, and eating well is that someone pays the penalty. Sometimes it’s me. Sometimes it’s my loved ones. Sometimes it’s a student or a parent that just happened to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Regardless, I am taking permission to pay the price so that this doesn’t happen. In this way, I will invest time and resources into what matters most and be better able to care for others as I do so.
2014 Theme: Take Permission!
Back after a long absence! It’s a new year. My theme for this year is “Take Permission.” I’m indebted to Andy Traub of for the idea. “Take Permission” encapsulates so many things that I want to put into practice this year. The concept is that it’s as if we are waiting for someone to give us permission to what would be good for us and beneficial to others. We need to take permission instead of waiting for someone else to give permission
I’m taking permission to develop my walk with God. I’m taking permission to spend time in prayer and in the Scriptures. This is something that is not just going to happen on its own. What people want to “give permission” for are activities with tangible returns. Developing your walk with God may not have immediate, tangible returns, but it is something worth doing.
I’m taking permission to develop myself. For too long, I’ve allowed the unstated expectations of others to rule and direct me. I’m going to develop character and competence, knowing that time devoted to this is never wasted.
I’m taking permission to write. This is another solitary pursuit that may not have immediate, tangible returns, but one that is worth pursuing.
I’m taking permission to reach out to people. It’s time for me to take the initiative to reach out and build friendships rather than waiting for other to do so.
I’m taking permission to say “no.” By saying “no” to others, I can say “yes” to the things that are important.
Half Baked 