One of the things I’ve discovered that I dislike the most is asking for permission. It is something that we are inherently conditioned to do when we were socialized as school children.

We were told as kids when to stand and when to sit, if we could go to the restroom or not and when to go to bed. Those rules no longer apply in adulthood. Who do you have to ask permission for to chase your dream, change professions or experience something new? I think young people especially struggle with this aspect of transitioning from school to adulthood and end up doing something (say a job) they had for an extended period of time and end up regretting it.

In my own case, I take the motto of “its better to seek forgiveness then to ask for permission.” For instance, I began implementing this rule as a teacher, from recording lectures to having dis do push ups in class, shooting kids with a water gun and so on and so forth.

I get pushback sure, as well as numerous complaints, but I get more of what I want because I’m not afraid to push the envelope and rock the boat. And thats the way to get more out of life. For career specifically, the extra stuff may fall flat and you end up making a complete butthole of yourself, but along the way, you may find what you’re really good at (that hasn’t happened yet) and others may spot your talent and give you an opportunity. This has happened to me, an English as a Foreign Language company spoted and liked my video lectures so they invited me to do a blog on their website. This will give my brand wider exposure.

And for young people especially, what do you have to lose? You get fired? Find another job, start a business, the risks are minimal.

So in whatever you’re doing, don’t ask for permission, toe the line, rock the boat and “bend it till it breaks.”

Kingston S. Lim

December 26, 2019

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia