If you’re anything like us (and the leaders, teams and organisations we work with at Firefly), procrastination, perfectionism and overthinking, all have a habit of showing up right when we need the most momentum. That’s why we teach this deceptively simple tool: the permission slip.

What’s a permission slip?

If you’re a parent or guardian, you’ve probably signed one to give your child permission to go on a school trip or join after-school clubs. But what if we wrote one for ourselves? A permission slip is not a to-do list or productivity hack. It’s a mindset shift. A simple statement that creates the possibility for action, rather than pressure to perform.

How it works.

Recently, Firefly’s founder, Kirsty Maynor, had a number of bonus content videos to record for our Online Learning Library (including one on this very topic!). Yet between admin, life stress, and the pressure of “getting it right”, the task felt too big to tackle. So she did something small: gave herself permission to just create one video. Permission to take it in bite-sized steps, rather than power through in one go. And once the pressure dropped, the creativity came back and the videos got recorded (and lots of them!).

Why it works.

When we hit resistance, it’s rarely because we’re lazy or unmotivated. More often, it’s because our inner critic is louder than our inner coach. We tell ourselves:

• “I don’t have time”

• “This has to be perfect”

• “I should be doing something else”

A permission slip helps turn the volume down on those thoughts. It reframes the situation, and instead of forcing action, it makes room for it. It gives you a conscious, intentional way to meet yourself where you are and move forward.

Try it for yourself.

Next time you find yourself resisting a task, try this simple exercise. Grab a piece of paper or a sticky note, and write “I give myself permission to…” and finish the sentence. It might be things like “I give myself permission to ask for help” or  “I give myself permission to only do this task for 10 minutes”. You might be surprised by how powerful this small act of self-awareness can be.

Building facilitation skills that go beyond techniques.

This permission slip is just one of many tools we teach in the Firefly Certified Facilitator Programme too. It’s a great example of the kind of mindset work that helps facilitators create meaningful, human-centred spaces where people feel safe to engage, reflect and grow. 

Throughout the programme, we go deeper into how to:

• Use coaching and facilitation tools, like permission slips, to unlock new possibilities

• Build confidence as a facilitator, even in complex or uncertain environments

You’ll also gain access to the Firefly Online Learning Library - a suite of tried and tested online resources, worksheets and bonus video content you can use with clients, covering topics like Courageous Conversations, Authentic Leadership Mastery and Leading Effective Teams.

So whether you’re new to facilitation or want to deepen your impact, this Facilitation Programme gives you the mindset, tools and support to help others.

If you have any questions or want to know more, email us at onlinelearning@thefireflygroup.co.uk