Skill

Find the Permission Statement

Catch the thought that makes harmful behavior seem acceptable.

What it is

A permission statement is the thought that makes harmful behavior feel temporarily acceptable.

How to do it

Notice the urge.

Ask what you are telling yourself makes this okay.

Say the permission statement plainly.

Challenge it.

Replace it with an accountable statement.

Choose a safer behavior.

Remember

Before harmful behavior comes permission. Learn to catch the permission.

Want to understand this more deeply?

Chapter 3: Slow My Thinking

Read the story and teaching behind this skill, then come back here when you want to practice it.

Notice when wanting something becomes believing you are owed it.

Own your behavior without shifting responsibility onto another person or circumstance.

Understand why something happened without using that explanation to reduce responsibility.