You Can Just Do Things: The Power of Permissionless Action

by Jay Yang

The world doesn’t reward those who wait; it rewards those who act.

From the moment we’re old enough to dream, we’re handed a follow the rules, wait your turn, and maybe, someday, opportunity will knock. But here’s the the system isn’t designed to help you thrive; it’s designed to keep you in place—waiting for permission, waiting for approval, waiting for a chance that may never come.

The people who shape the world don’t wait. They rewrite the script.

Drawing from his own Permissionless journey—working with serial entrepreneur Noah Kagan and building a thriving marketing agency while still in school—Jay Yang argues that success isn’t about luck, connections, or waiting for the right moment—it’s about taking control. Through lessons drawn from pioneers

Tony Fadell, who didn’t wait for the perfect role—he built a prototype, pitched the iPod, and revolutionized how the world listens to music.Steven Spielberg, who didn’t wait for someone to open the door—he snuck onto a Universal Studios lot, absorbed everything he could, and became the youngest director in Hollywood history.Taylor Swift, who didn’t wait for the industry to find her—she moved to Nashville, positioned herself where the action was, and knocked on doors until someone gave her a shot.
These stories—and many others—highlight one powerful success is something you create, not something you’re granted. You Can Just Do Things is for any young professional ready to accelerate their career, aspiring entrepreneur determined to build their own path, or anyone stuck in a 9-to-5 grind who knows they’re meant for more.

This isn’t just a book about success—it’s about taking control of your future and building a career and life on your own terms.

Stop waiting. Start acting. The only permission you need is the one you give yourself.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Business, Productivity, Personal Growth

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2025

Reviews

[Olaseni Kehinde Precious · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book positions itself as a practical guide on permissionless action, with Jay Yang using storytelling to show readers how to thrive in career and life.

Its main strength lies in its simplicity. Jay’s clear, straightforward tone makes the ideas easy to follow and accessible even for casual readers.

That said, much of the content feels familiar. The voice and approach reminded me of How to Live an Extraordinary Life by Anthony Pompliano, and for that reason, the book doesn’t break much new ground. It’s helpful, but not distinctive.

Overall, I’d give it a 3/5.

[Zab · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Life can be much broader, once you discover one simple fact, and that is, everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use.”

But then I opened his email. Inside was a 19-slide deck that dissected everything wrong with my social media and email marketing. He didn’t just point out the flaws—he proposed solutions. And then, to make sure I had no reason to say no, he included nine ready-to-publish pieces of content.
He didn’t ask for permission. He didn’t say, “Can I help?” or, “What do you need from me?” He just did the work. No fluff, no fanfare. He showed me exactly how he could make my life easier.
And guess what? He got the job.

“You don’t know anything about marketing,” he said. Ouch. But he wasn’t wrong.
But instead of walking away, I went home, read every marketing book I could find, and spent 80 hours building a detailed launch plan—for free. Then I emailed it to Aaron and said, “If you like this, let me run it for three months. If it works, you can pay me.” He said yes, we executed the plan, and Mint sold for $170 million three years later.

He wasn’t some industry veteran with a decade of expertise. He didn’t have a stacked resume or big credentials. What he had was effort. He put in the work before anyone asked him to. He showed me what he could do, made my life easier, and left me no choice but to say yes.

Want to start a business? Instead of asking for funding, build something that works to validate the idea. Want to grow your network? Don’t ask people how you can help them—figure it out and show them. Want to change your career? Start doing the work before anyone pays you to do it.

If you take away one thing from this foreword, let it be this: don’t wait. Don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait for someone to notice you. Don’t wait for the “right time.” Start now. Start messy. Start where you are. The tools are out there. The opportunities are out there. But it’s up to you to take the first step.

I had no credentials. Little experience. And frankly, no reason to be taken seriously. But I knew one thing: waiting never gets you anywhere.
I took a breath. Screw it. I hit send.
The next morning, I woke up and checked my inbox… One new email.
My chest tightened as I clicked.
He liked my idea! He wanted to hop on a call.

For a long time, I thought success meant checking all the right boxes. I was a straight-A student, varsity basketball player, and “model kid.” I worked hard, did what I was supposed to do, and stayed on the well-marked path. But the older I got, the more I felt boxed in. The rules were good for keeping me safe, but they left little room for me to think or create on my own.

I grew up in an Asian household where respect, discipline, and obedience were the foundation. My parents weren’t tiger parents, but they did set clear expectations: work hard, follow the rules, and stay on the well-marked path. For years, I stuck to that script. But the truth is, most traditional paths aren’t designed for speed. They promise stability but deliver stagnation. They ask you to wait your turn in a system built for slow, linear progress while the most meaningful opportunities are taken by those willing to step outside the lines.

This book isn’t about being reckless. It’s about understanding when and how to break the rules strategically to create opportunities. Life isn’t a straight path with clear instructions. It’s a maze, and those who succeed aren’t the ones who wait for the main door to open. They’re the ones who find a side entrance, carve their own way forward, or knock the whole wall down.

The truth is, you don’t need experience to start. You don’t need connections to contribute. What you need is the willingness to act without waiting for permission.

Could these individuals have achieved what they did by waiting for permission? By sticking to the prescribed path or waiting until they felt ready? Of course not. Their success wasn’t about talent, luck, or resources—it was about their willingness to act, even in the face of uncertainty.

“Don’t obsess about predicting the future. Instead, put yourself in a position where you’re poised to take advantage of whatever happens next.”

The truth is, most people don’t lack motivation; they lack clarity. Arnold knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted to become the best bodybuilder in the world. This clarity drove every decision he made. While his peers partied, he trained. While others doubted him, he doubled down on his vision. Without a clear North Star, you’re adrift, chasing goals that belong to someone else or none at all.

Kimo wasted no time. He sat Derek down at the piano and started explaining complex jazz harmonies: He didn’t just lecture—he made Derek apply the concepts on the spot. Kimo crammed months of material into hours, pushing Derek to keep up. It was fast. It was overwhelming. And it was thrilling.
By the end of the first three-hour lesson, Derek had absorbed an entire semester’s worth of Berklee’s harmony curriculum. Over the next four lessons, Kimo covered four more semesters. When Derek arrived at Berklee, he tested out of six semesters of classes.

“The system is designed so anyone can keep up. But if you’re more driven than most people, you can do way more than anyone expects. There’s no speed limit.”
The system wasn’t designed for people who want more. If you know where you’re going, there’s no limit to how fast you can get there—so long as you’re willing to push, adapt, and keep going when it gets hard.

That’s what ignoring the speed limit is about. Not moving recklessly, but realizing that it’s a suggestion, not a rule. If you want to succeed in your Permissionless journey, get comfortable setting your own pace.

That’s what ignoring the speed limit is about. Not moving recklessly, but realizing that it’s a suggestion, not a rule. If you want to succeed in your Permissionless journey, get comfortable setting your own pace.
The faster you stop letting artificial speed limits hold you back, the faster you get to where you were truly meant to go.

Most people wait for someone else to create opportunities. They sit back, hoping to be invited. Super connectors build the spaces where relationships happen.
Learning a new skill? Find others who want to learn it with you.
Reading a book? Start a book club.
Traveling to a new city? Host a dinner.

“An idea is not worth much until it is shared. It is the sharing of ideas that propels society forward.” Selling is not just a tool for business. It is essential for bringing your vision to life, no matter the field.
If you believe in your vision, you have a responsibility to make others believe in it too. This doesn’t mean pandering or being inauthentic. It means listening, understanding your audience, and framing your ideas in ways that inspire action.

Mastering the art of selling is not optional. The difference between them wasn’t intelligence. It was the ability to make others see the value of what they created.
Learn to sell. It’s the bridge between where you are and where you want to go.

A young man once asked Mozart how to write a symphony.
Mozart replied, “You’re too young to write a symphony.”
Frustrated, the man shot back, “But you were writing symphonies when you were 10, and I am 21!”
Mozart smiled and said, “but I didn’t run around asking people how to do it.”

It's about more than just boldness; it’s about preparation. It’s easy to look at what he did and think, Wow, that was risky, but it wasn’t. He did the work upfront.
Most people don’t. They’ll send a vague DM, drop a half-baked pitch, or expect others to connect the dots for them. Then they’re surprised when they’re ignored. But the truth is, no one owes you a shot. If you want the attention of people who are already operating at a high level, you have to make it impossible for them to ignore you.

“Someday” is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. If it’s important to you and you want to do it “eventually”, just do it and course correct along the way.

Failing was better than not showing up at all.

Will you look back and wish you’d taken the chance? The revolution is happening now—don’t miss it. Neither waited for the perfect moment because they knew it didn’t exist. Instead, they acted, despite not having any guarantees of success.

The challenge is clear: Will you take the leap, or will hesitation keep you on the sidelines? In the following chapters, you’ll discover how people bet on themselves, acted before they felt ready, and turned small decisions into life-changing opportunities.

Strike while the iron is hot.

If you want to catch a wave, you have to be in the ocean.

Taylor had been persistent in her requests for years, “If Faith Hill went to Nashville, then I have to go to Nashville.” She knew that Pennsylvania wasn’t going to open the same doors.
At fourteen, Taylor didn’t just have ambition—she had clarity. She understood something most adults struggle with: talent alone isn’t enough. You have to go where the opportunities are. Nashville, Tennessee—the beating heart of the country music industry. Nashville was where the record labels, songwriters, and producers were. It was where the action was.

When the meetings went nowhere, Taylor focused on what she could control: performing. She played in cafés and fairs. She performed at songwriter nights and in parking lots, often to tiny audiences. She knew if just one person heard her, then it would be worth it.
And eventually, someone did hear her.
Soon after, Taylor signed a deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing, becoming the youngest songwriter in their history at just fifteen years old.
Taylor Swift didn’t wait for Nashville to come to her. She went to Nashville. And once she got there, she knocked on doors, played every stage she could find, and made herself visible. Her talent didn’t change when she moved—her opportunities did.
The truth is, opportunity isn’t evenly distributed. Certain places, industries, and communities act as amplifiers. They concentrate talent, energy, and resources in ways that make success more possible. Think of:

Silicon Valley for tech innovators.
New York City for finance and fashion.
Los Angeles for entertainment.
Venice Beach for bodybuilding.

Proximity doesn’t guarantee success. But it increases your chances of it. It puts you in the room with the right people, exposes you to opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise see, and forces you to level up.

“If you’re constantly moving, you’re a threat.”

Fadell didn’t wait for someone to hand him an opportunity. He didn’t wait for the perfect conditions or for the market to catch up. He saw a problem, pursued a solution, and executed.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: the roles we think we’re waiting for often don’t exist. They’re not written up in job descriptions or handed out by managers. They’re created by the people bold enough to see a problem and decide they’re the one to solve it. Waiting for permission—or worse, waiting for someone else to solve it—only guarantees that nothing will happen.

Show them how you can solve a problem they didn’t know they had or help them achieve a goal they’ve been struggling with. Don’t just tell them you’re the right person—prove it by doing the work in advance. Create a prototype, draft a proposal, or map out a strategy. The key is to demonstrate your value before you’re asked.

Jobs aren’t given to the most qualified. They’re given to the ones who make themselves impossible to ignore. If you want to stand out, stop applying blindly and start being deliberate. Pick a target. Study their problems. Show up with something valuable.

The world doesn’t hand you permission to make an impact. The roles you want to play, the changes you want to see, the work you want to do—it’s all waiting for you to create it.

Pick a target. Do an audit of their work. Send them a free gift. Don’t expect to get anything in return. The act of doing the audit and reaching out is your prize. Everything else is upside.

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

Sidney’s story is a reminder of what happens when you set ego aside and focus on proving your worth through action. Most people let their pride get in the way. They look at the small tasks and think, That’s not my job. I’m better than this.

The truth? Those tasks—the ones that look insignificant, thankless, or beneath you—are often the cracked doors to something far greater.
Opportunities rarely come gift-wrapped. They don’t announce themselves with fanfare or arrive on a silver platter. More often, they look like grunt work, thankless tasks, or minor roles in the background.
The people who succeed aren’t the ones who wait for perfect circumstances—they’re the ones who act. They seize what’s in front of them and prove their worth through action.

Sidney didn’t stumble into success. He created it. By saying yes to small opportunities, he positioned himself for bigger ones. By acting like he already belonged, he earned his seat at the table.

Most people do what’s expected. They clock in, finish their tasks, and go home. They play their part. But the people who truly succeed—the ones who rise above the noise—are the ones who ask, What else can I do? They don’t stop at ‘good enough’. They find ways to do more than their share.

The truth is, normal behavior is forgotten. Nobody tells stories of when you do the expected. They only tell stories when you go the extra mile.
Doing what is expected costs nothing in the short term but fades into obscurity. Going above and beyond costs a little more—effort, time, energy—but it creates a ripple effect that lasts. The extra ounce may not always pay off immediately, but over time, it builds something invaluable: reputation capital.

Record deals. Sold-out tours. Global fame. But none of it would have happened if Bieber had waited to be “ready.” Those grainy videos—the ones he probably wished were better—were what got him noticed.

This is the part of the story most people miss. Putting yourself out there isn’t easy. It’s terrifying. It’s easier to keep your work hidden, to tell yourself, I’ll share it when it’s ready. I’ll wait until it’s perfect.

But while you’re waiting, someone else is hitting publish. Someone else is taking the risk you won’t. The truth is, you’ll never feel fully ready. And your work will never be perfect. But the people who succeed are the ones who show up anyway. They don’t let fear stop them. They understand that the work you hide doesn’t help anyone—not you, and not the people it’s meant for.

Sharing your work isn’t just about visibility—it’s about momentum. Each post, each upload, each release becomes a signal to the world: I’m here. I’m working. I’m serious. It invites feedback. It attracts collaborators. It plants seeds.

Selling Your “Sawdust”
One of the simplest ways to work in public is to document your process. Most people think they need a finished product before they can share anything. They don’t. The journey itself is valuable.
If you’re a musician, share behind-the-scenes clips of your recording process.
If you’re an athlete, show your training routine.
If you’re an entrepreneur, document the creation of your product.
If you’re building a skill, share what you’re learning along the way.
People don’t just want results. They want to see how things are made. By working in public, you build trust, visibility, and momentum—all before you “arrive.”

In the internet age, working in public has never been easier. Social media platforms give creators direct access to an audience without the need for gatekeepers. Anyone can share their work, test ideas, and build momentum.

Spielberg wasn’t born a film genius. He got rejected by every major film school he applied to. But instead of waiting for an open invitation, he took his career into his own hands.

The lesson is clear: you don’t need to wait for the stars to align. You don’t need every question answered or every tool in your toolbox. What you need is the courage to act—even when the path isn’t clear.

As Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood…”

The arena isn’t comfortable. It’s messy and unpredictable. You will fail—probably often. But failure in the arena is infinitely better than regret on the sidelines.

So stop waiting. Stop hesitating. Take the leap. Jump off the tram. The world doesn’t reward spectators—it rewards the ones who dare to step into the field, no matter how unprepared they feel.

I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.

“The failures taught me more than the successes ever did. It’s why I kept going.”
James Dyson didn’t invent the perfect vacuum cleaner on his first try—or even his hundredth. Perfection is the result of imperfection embraced.
So, if you’re waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect plan, or the perfect first draft—stop.
Give yourself permission to be imperfect. Build your 5,127 prototypes. And then stay in the game long enough to get lucky. Because the only way to create something extraordinary is to embrace the ordinary mess along the way.

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.

“No, that’s the biggest lie,” he says. “That’s how they get you to give up. They say it’s not that simple, so you stop trying. But the truth? If you just do the thing they say you can’t, then it’s done. And you realize—it is that simple. It always was.”

Each of them made the same quiet decision: to begin, even when the path was uncertain. To create, even when failure seemed inevitable. To persist, even when others told them no.

[Noah Sochaczevski · Rating 1 out of 5]

Should've been a blog post.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jay’s book covers many well-known references like Steve Jobs, Schwarzenegger, Spielberg, Edison, and more. It highlights a powerful idea shared by many authors and entrepreneurs: just start. Quantity often leads to quality — while quality matters most, quantity is what ultimately gets you there. The key is to simply begin and see where it takes you.
What’s truly impressive is how self-aware and mature Jay is for his age. I’m much older than him, yet I’m genuinely struck by his depth, both in his book and in his newsletters. He’s an artist, someone I follow closely and highly recommend. I also think his book could make a great gift, especially for people who are hesitating to take the first step toward their own projects.

[Jason Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing terribly ground-breaking or new, but a good collection of reminders that you CAN just do things. Most of the time, what is holding you back isn't anything real... it's just you. People who have drive and desire and put a bit of energy (or a lot) end up getting stuff done. People who don't have that drive will create excuses of all the reasons why they can't. But rarely is that the problem. The perfect setup doesn't usually exist. You have to make your own breaks.

So go out and get stuff done.

[Yogesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

You Can Just Do Things has a lot of repetition, which feels frustrating. But honestly, not as frustrating as already knowing most of this and still not taking action on your goals :)

Many ideas and quotes are borrowed and credited. At times it seems like this could’ve been a long blog post instead of a book. But it’s still worth sitting through.

It sometimes felt like watching a movie with an audio track made for blind people, describing every obvious detail. The funny thing is, the truth is obvious to us too. We just don’t want to see it either. So I guess it makes sense.

[Anna Brand · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing interesting or new here - it’s very basic stories (Bezos, Zuckerberg, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber) each told in about 700 words with minimal effort and no new insights. If you are feeling unmotivated and need a quick pick me up, this could be a good read in a couple hours. Otherwise, should have been a blog post.

Also begging for Amazon reviews in the middle of the book is a turn off!! But I guess you can just do things.

[Travis Standley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as a reminder that things don’t need - and won’t be - perfectly lined up for us in life. We must act.

Hang used examples of those who have done so and also tells his own story of initiative and opportunity creation.

20 chapters highlight key ways to make things happen. A great message and an empowering one.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good. More of a brief dose of motivation without anything earth shattering. These topics are covered across various other books, but this was a simple and easily digestible guide to taking action.

I had hoped there would be some content not focused on professional development, and while there was some about creative expression, it was minimal.

[Emory Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the power to achieve my goals and do whatever I want. I can make the world mold to my hand. I must embrace obsession, be a learning machine, and continue to give the extra ounce.

Personally, I will define my North Star and then get in that arena. Working in public will help.

There is no speed limit. Everyone gets promoted. Inertia is a distraction.

[Stephen Halstead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Great for any entrepreneurs out there. So many reminders that people won’t just hand you exactly what you want, you need to go out and make things happen.

Short read, but I enjoyed things from each chapter.

[Akshat Nagpal]

Need to read it

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

reads like it was written by chatgpt. was hoping for more lessons from authors own experience instead of anecdotes that are already well trodden by other books of the genre

[Sabrina Reynard]

Great Book

Really enjoyed this short read. Action is always on the table. You dont need to wait for someone else to give you permission.

[Gertrude Nonterah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book

I am glad that this book is concise and to the point AND filled with useful insights. Thanks for writing this book, Jay!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5