Behavior Gap Radio 1414 | Are You Waiting for Information or Permission?
Mar 17, 2026
A short question about whether you wait for facts or for reassurance sparks a look at why people avoid big moves. Stories about friends who claimed they 'couldn't' move reveal emotional barriers behind practical excuses. The conversation contrasts seeking permission with needing real information and urges treating feelings as valid decision data.
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Moving To New Zealand Despite 'Not Affording It'
- Carl Richards moved his family to New Zealand intending one year and stayed four, despite friends saying they 'couldn't afford it'.
- He knew some friends' balance sheets and observed they often cited money, timing, or kids' ages as reasons they couldn't act.
Clarity Comes After You Move
- In complex adaptive systems like careers and family life, clarity usually comes after action, not before it.
- You rarely get 80% certainty before moving because interdependent variables (kids, business, finances) create unpredictable outcomes.
Waiting For Permission Masquerades As Needing Data
- People often say they need more information but are actually seeking permission or relief to feel safe acting.
- That distinction matters because 'waiting for information' can mask fear of acting amid uncertainty.