Jerry Seinfeld is one of the most successful and well-known comedians of all time.
Sure, you may not like his personality or particular brand of observational humor, but what you can’t deny is his legacy or impact.
And what’s crazy?
His entire career rested on one, tiny moment, – and it’s not the kind of moment you’re thinking.
“I wasn’t one of those people who believed I had talent,” he told Graham Bensinger in a recent hour-long interview.
“We would go watch comedians at the clubs, and one kid said to me, “I betcha you could do that.”
A throw-away comment from a nameless kid he knew in college lit the spark that would change the course of his life.
Jerry continued, “It was all I ever wanted, but I wouldn’t even say it out loud to anyone. But when he said that, that was like giving me permission to say, “I would like to do that.””
Permission.
An ordinary word with extraordinary power. We spend a lot of time seeking permission. From our parents, our friends, our boss, our culture…
But they can’t actually give us permission, not really – no one can.
In the end, we’re the only ones who can give ourselves permission to be who we’re meant to be. To connect, to share, to engage, to dream, to risk it all.
So light the fire of the people around you. Tell your kids they can do it. Tell your friends to go for their dream. Tell your students they’re capable.
Give them permission to give themselves permission.
As Seinfeld’s story shows us, sometimes it only takes one.
Watch the full, incredible interview here:
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