Whose life are you living? Do you find yourself tip-toeing around the feelings of others? Do others' needs and desires often precede your own? Do you wish you knew how to balance it all? Have healthy relationships? And end up feeling truly happy?  Priya Rana Kapoor  takes you on The Permission Journey, a step-by-step guide that will equip you with the strength and courage to: understand that you can put yourself first without being selfish - recognize your fears and learn to be brave - change the way you think about happiness - know you are not alone on your journey - realize your  dreams Give YourSelf Permission to Live Your Life  is complemented with candid anecdotes from Priya's personal experience. She leads by example as she tells her story of illness, self-doubt, and a chronic need-to-please, how she got through it all, and how you can do the same. The breakthrough techniques outlined in The Permission Journey  have benefited a wide range of people, from executives of large international corporations ironically suffering from low self-worth, to recent school-leavers struggling to find their feet. Their inspirational stories mirror scenarios that we all commonly find ourselves in, and will serve as a reference point for you in similar situations. Are you ready to take the Permission Journey yourself? Pack your bags and prepare to embark on an adventure to Give Yourself Permission to take back your life! "Priya has written an insightful and compassionate book for the individual who struggles with wanting to make everyone else happy, but who neglects their own self-worth and joy. The author shares, with vulnerability, her own journey to giving herself permission to live HER life and provides useful information and tools on how to break free of the shackles which hold you back. Through thoughtful guidance, concepts, and exercises she becomes your personal guide as you take back your life ." — Shawn Achor , NY Times bestselling author of Before Happiness and The Happiness Advantage Give YourSelf Permission to Live Your Life By Priya Rana Kapoor Balboa Press Copyright © 2014 Priya Rana Kapoor All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4525-9368-5 Contents Introduction, vii, Prologue, xiii, Chapter One Why We Don't Give OurSelves Permission, 1, Chapter Two The Legacy of Childhood – My Story, Part One, 15, Chapter Three The Permission Journey, 31, Trains, Planes, and Automobiles, 32, Chapter Four Giving Myself Permission – My Story, Part Two, 39, Chapter Five Give YourSelf Permission to Know You Matter, 51, Chapter Six Give YourSelf Permission to Know What You Care About, 67, Chapter Seven Give YourSelf Permission to Take Back Your Life, 81, Chapter Eight Give YourSelf Permission to Be Brave, 101, Chapter Nine Give YourSelf Permission to be Happy, 125, Chapter Ten Give YourSelf Permission to Have Healthy Relationships, 145, Chapter Eleven Give YourSelf Permission to Know Your Dream Team, 167, Chapter Twelve Give YourSelf Permission to Dream Big and Live Your Life, 185, Conclusion, 209, Epilogue, 213, Further Reading, 215, Acknowledgements, 219, About the Author, 221, CHAPTER 1 Why We Don't Give OurSelves Permission Awareness is fifty percent of growth. —Louise L. Hay Jack: A Story of Not Giving Oneself Permission Meet Jack. He is thirty-six years old, and his life revolves around working relentlessly for the pay cheque he brings home every month. There are days when he looks in the mirror and doesn't even recognise himself in the life he has created. Let's see how Jack got to where he is today. Shortly after graduating from university, Jack found himself working for a good company and on track for a great career. He liked his job and worked hard during the week but took time for himself as well. A couple of nights a week, he went out with his friends, played sports, and sometimes had a drink or two. Jack felt really good about his choices, and he was happy to know how proud his parents were of his achievements. Jack was doing so well at work that he was promoted. He was given more responsibilities and took on more managerial duties. He met a woman, fell in love, and got married. He was earning a great salary and was able to buy a house and a car. Jack and his wife wanted to give their children the best of everything and thus sent them to good schools. His wife gave up her job to stay at home and take care of them. The other kids at school came from wealthy families. They went on fancy holidays, and Jack's children wanted to do the same. Whilst Jack's work was still going well, he felt under enormous pressure to keep the money rolling in. One day, Jack realised that he was just not happy. Now, he is still a good manager, and he still earns a good salary, so why does Jack feel so miserable most of the time? He feels as though he is being pulled in all directions and has lost control of his life. Does he even enjoy his work anymore? He doesn't think so