Permission

Note 011: Your permission slip

Taking the plunge is scary, not least because no one outside yourself will be able to give you permission to leap.

It is very likely no one will believe you, or support you.

How could they? They have not taken the plunge themselves, and let’s be honest here, no one knows at the start.

That's because no one else can see your vision except you.

That voice in your head

My University lacks practising architects…

My teachers lack real word grit…

You are right.

COVID has me worried about job security…

We are in a recession…

We are in a bubble…

You are right.

My design skills are being wasted at this firm…

My creativity feels stifled…

My creative input goes uncredited…

You are right.

But starting my own studio is risky...

You are right.

Aren’t architects born talented?

I could never design all the incredible projects I’m fed online every day…

Aren’t architects born into wealth?

I could never take the plunge myself…

You are wrong.

Your permission slip

13.9.21

Permission Slip for (insert your name) to follow their dream.

Dear (insert boss, friends, parents, naysayers names here),

I, Andrew Donaldson, mentor to (insert your name here), hereby give (insert your pronoun here) permission to begin the hard work of following their dream.

This permission slip is effective immediately, and good for life.

Yours Sincerely,

Andrew Donaldson

I hereby give you permission to give yourself Permission

You don't need my permission.

You don't need your teacher’s permission.

You don't need your boss’ permission.

You don’t need your friend’s permission.

You don’t need your parent’s permission.

You don’t need your spouse’s permission.¹

You do not need permission – but you DO need to take action and start the work.

Mondays are for Action :)

Until next time,

Andrew Donaldson

Note 011 done and dusted! Please give me any feedback whatsoever, I would love to hear from you - after all, this is for you :)

PS - if you have a friend, colleague, or archi-buddy that you think would benefit from Andrew’s Notes, please feel free to send this to them or share with the button below: - lets grow this tribe :)

1. What about my Spouse / Significant Others permission?

Use your common sense here…

No, you don't need your spouse’s / partners permission either from a business perspective, but as we have covered in other Notes, if you are further along life’s journey and have a family, kids, and more life obligations, then my relationship advice is that you DO discuss your plans with your significant other :)