I was invited to be part of a podcast for a good friend and we were talking about having the courage to follow your own path and how that relates to finding your creative mojo.

I attempted (quite badly as I forgot the last point Doh!) to quote something I heard social analyst Daniel Pink say in a TED talk on productivity. He was describing 3 important factors that help anyone thrive at work or have the motivation to go out on their own.

Autonomy – The sense that you have a guiding hand in your own destiny.

Mastery – You’re continually learning. You’re mastering your craft or learning something new. Always growing.

Purpose – You feel you’re making a positive difference in some way.

Combine those these elements with a good dose of curiosity and you’ve got a recipe for a fulfilling life.

Now I have a better understanding of why I felt so trapped in my old office job. None of those points related to me and I was left feeling anxious, stressed and powerless. Three years later, I’m the master of my own destiny (along with the universe), I’m continually learning new skills in different areas and I definitely have a sense I’m making a difference to the world.

Don’t be afraid to find your own lane.