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James “Mac” McPartland.pdf

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James “Mac” McPartland.pdf

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Whose permission are you waiting for?

  • James McPartland
  • Jul 30
  • 3 min read

"The greatest tool to level up your life is asking yourself: Whose permission are you waiting for to move forward?"— James McPartland

Access Point: Courageous Conversations | Blog post by James McPartland | Speaker, Author, Executive Coach

Imagine walking into your office tomorrow morning to find out you've been fired - not from your job, but as the CEO of your own life. Now, imagine a world-class leader stepping in to replace you—someone known for turning things around, identifying untapped potential, and making bold, strategic decisions. What would they see when they took stock of your life? What changes would they make? 


On the surface, life may seem fine—solid career, good relationships, financial stability. But when you step back and look at things objectively, you might have a wake-up call: Are you managing your life proactively, or are you just coasting? Are you making deliberate, strategic choices, or are you avoiding discomfort and letting opportunities slip by?


Think about it. A strong leader wouldn’t wait for permission to make necessary changes. They wouldn’t avoid tough decisions for fear of what others might think. They would focus on results, not excuses. This realization can be both uncomfortable and liberating.


The difference between running your life as an amateur versus a professional is stark. The amateur is interested but not committed, preferring comfort over growth, convenience over necessity. They harbor self-doubt, make excuses, and play not to lose. Sound familiar? We've all been there.


But professionals? They're different. They're practiced, skillful, and committed. They welcome feedback, play to win, and are propelled - not paralyzed - by fear.


Here's where it gets interesting. When you look at the fears holding you back, they often boil down to some fundamental questions: 


  • What if I fail?

  • What will others think?

  • Will I be rejected by my tribe?


These fears keep us operating as amateurs, settling for less than we're capable of achieving.


Consider this:


  • Are you consistently putting yourself in a position to win?

  • Are you doing whatever it takes to get as close to your dreams as possible?

  • Most importantly, are the people you're listening to living the type of life you dream of?


These aren't just rhetorical questions - they're diagnostic tools that a great CEO would use to evaluate your life's current direction.


The path from amateur to professional isn't about dramatic overnight changes. It's about habits. As the Stoics reminded us, we become what we repeatedly do. A professional CEO of your life would implement systems and routines that align with your highest aspirations, not your comfortable habits.


What's fascinating is that the real competition isn't with others - it's with yourself. While amateurs compete with others, professionals compete with themselves. They understand that personal growth isn't about outperforming others but about becoming a better version of themselves each day.


The transformation from amateur to professional resides in your mindset and beliefs. It's about closing the gap between where you are and where you could be. This means confronting the comfort of familiar pain and embracing the uncertainty of growth. It means giving yourself permission to succeed without waiting for anyone else's approval.


If an exceptional CEO took over your life today, they would likely see opportunities where you see obstacles, potential where you see limitations, and clear paths forward where you see only walls. They wouldn't be constrained by your current fears or limited by your existing habits.


So here's the challenge:


  • Are you ready to fire the version of yourself that’s been running on autopilot?

  • Are you willing to step into a leadership role in your own life?


The quality of your life is often determined by the quality of the questions you ask yourself and the standards you hold yourself to.


Deciding to take charge might be the most important choice you ever make. Because at the end of the day, no one else is going to step in and do it for you.


Mac 😎

 
 
 

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