An observation: marketers give us a new vocabulary and lens through which to experience the world. Terms like “pick yourself” an “permission slip” echo in my mind when I read articles like this now. (Read this if you’re confused).

The idea that you no longer need your idea “approved” before bringing it to market (or, in this case, publishing it) is a powerful one, and it removes from us the ability to blame our lack of success on external factors. It’s not that the lack of red tape makes success more likely, it’s that we now stand face to face with the risk required for any endeavor.

So it’s less about who hasn’t given us permission to pursue our dreams…and more about us being honest (with ourselves first, and then the world) about whether we’re actually willing to put in the emotional labor to see the dream realized.