\"Breakthrough Procrastination: The 4 Permissions Every Leader Needs\" - Jon Acuff - Global Leadership Summit 2025

What if the biggest obstacle between you and your potential isn't what you think it is?

Here's a sobering reality check: 92% of all New Year's resolutions fail. Even more striking, 96% of people believe they're not living up to their full potential. These aren't just statistics—they're a mirror reflecting something deeper about how we approach growth and change.

Last week, I came across insights from Jon Acuff at The Global Leadership Summit that completely reframed my perspective on procrastination.

After surveying 20,000 people and working with 339 companies worldwide (including Microsoft), Acuff discovered something profound: procrastination isn't just a time management problem—it's a permission problem.

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

We've been thinking about procrastination all wrong. It's not about laziness, poor planning, or lack of motivation. At its core, procrastination is a mindset issue—and mindset matters more than ever because people bring their whole selves into every room they enter.

Think about it: When was the last time you held back from pursuing something meaningful because you didn't feel you had permission? Permission from your boss, your family, your circumstances—or most critically, from yourself?

Acuff's research revealed that we need explicit permission to move forward. And as leaders, we have the power to grant ourselves—and others—four essential permissions that unlock potential.

The Four Permissions Framework

Here's your roadmap to breaking through procrastination and stepping into your full potential:

1. Permission to Dream

Are you dreaming?

Before you can go anywhere meaningful, you need permission to envision what's possible. Too many of us have learned to dream small, to "be realistic," to settle for incremental improvements rather than transformational change.

But here's the truth: Great actions don't happen without great thoughts first. Give yourself permission to imagine boldly.

What would you pursue if you knew you couldn't fail?

What impact would you create if resources weren't a constraint?

Your dreams aren't frivolous—they're your compass.

2. Permission to Plan

Did you make a plan?

Dreams without plans remain wishes. But here's Acuff's brilliant insight: planning is about visiting the future and taking notes for when you return.

When you plan, you're not just organizing tasks—you're creating a bridge between where you are and where you want to be. You're permitting yourself to believe that your vision is achievable and worthy of strategic thought.

Take time to map out your path. Break down those big dreams into concrete, actionable steps. Your future self is counting on the planning you do today.

3. Permission to Do

Are you doing?

This is where most people get stuck. They dream beautifully, plan meticulously, then freeze when it's time to act. Why? Because doing requires us to move from the safety of preparation into the vulnerability of execution.

Here's your permission slip: You don't have to be perfect to begin. You just have to be willing to start. Every expert was once a beginner. Every successful leader took that first uncertain step.

Action creates clarity. Movement generates momentum. Give yourself permission to be imperfect while you're learning.

4. Permission to Review

Did it work?

The final permission is often overlooked but absolutely critical: permission to evaluate, adjust, and try again. Not everything you attempt will work exactly as planned—and that's not failure, it's data.

Regular review allows you to celebrate progress, learn from setbacks, and refine your approach. It's about transforming experience into wisdom and ensuring you're always growing.

Your Permission Slip for Growth

As leaders, we have an incredible opportunity—and responsibility. We can model what it looks like to permit ourselves to grow, and we can actively grant others the same permissions.

Here's your call to action:

This week, ask yourself these four questions:

• What am I dreaming about but haven't permitted myself to pursue?

• What plan do I need to create to move from vision to reality?

• What action am I avoiding that I need permission to take?

• How will I build review and reflection into my growth process?

Remember, 96% of people feel they're not living up to their potential. But you don't have to be part of that statistic. You have the power to grant yourself permission to dream bigger, plan better, act boldly, and learn continuously.

The question isn't whether you're capable of more—you are. The question is whether you'll permit yourself to pursue it.

What permission do you need to grant yourself today?