Permission Mindset Trap

Ryan Petersen shares his perspective on taking action without waiting for permission, contrasting the real world with institutional systems. He emphasizes that many self-imposed limitations are unnecessary, and people often have more freedom to act than they realize.

• The Real World vs. Institutions

  • Educational systems are heavily gated (e.g., must complete 11th grade math before 12th)
  • Real world has fewer gatekeepers - "there's no boss waiting to tell you what you can do"
  • Understanding law is important, but many actions are legal and permissible

• Breaking Free from Permission-Based Thinking

  • Common misconception that you need venture capital to start a company
  • His experience: Built companies for 10 years before raising VC
  • Focus on ideas that don't require external validation or resources

• Key Mindset Shift

  • Don't wait for permission when something isn't illegal
  • Challenge assumptions about what's required to start
  • Look for ways to act within legal boundaries without institutional approval

• Practical Application

  • Take basic law classes to understand what's actually permitted
  • Use tools like ChatGPT to understand legal boundaries
  • Focus on what you can do rather than perceived limitations

The essence of his philosophy is captured in the simple phrase: "you can just do things" - emphasizing direct action over waiting for approval or permission.