Autonomy, mastery and purpose

The water looked kind of dark, but the cove was somewhat protected from the fierce norther winds ( meltemia) blowing in the Aegean sea.

I was driving with my son and wife around Serifos island searching for the perfect beach to hang out for the day. We were on our summer vacations around the Greek islands of Cyclades( Syros, Serifos, Milos and Ios).

I was also scanning the area for the perfect place to free dive for my next day spearfishing adventure. I was trying to figure out which place evoked the feeling of the unknown that was both scary and exhilarating at the same time, had vey few people around, easy access to the sea and was protected enough from the wind so that I could swim, free dive and hopefully catch a nice fish.

As soon as I saw an old bridge hanging over the dark water, remnants of an era when mining was a thing in Serifos I knew I found what I was looking for.

I was there early next morning. The place was quiet despite the gusts of wind.

A grouper was leisurely swimming below me.

I was in the water not more than 30 minutes. The depth was within my limits.

Diaphragmatic breathing, relaxing and slowing down my heart rate at the surface.

Deep breath.

Hold it.

Dive towards the fish trying to keep a hydrodynamic form and silent approach.

Speargun aiming at its head.

I was not that stealth though. The fish quickly entered a small cave to protect itself. I scanned the rock and found an opening. Luckily I had a head shot.

The fish accompanied me to the surface.

This is my flow. This is why every summer I am exploring the Greek islands.

Cleaned the fish with my knife at the shore. My wife already found a tavern right on the edge of the sea.

It cannot get any fresher than that.

So what is the story here.

Autonomy, mastery and purpose.

All three.

The joy of being one with nature at your own pace, having the skill to free dive and fish and the purpose to enjoy your catch with your family in a perfect setting by the sea.

Do you have autonomy, mastery and purpose in your life?

Imagine if you had all three in your career.

Also having immediate feedback on your efforts is crucial. In my case, in the end, either I catch the fish or not. I can problem solve and try different ways to approach it and then reflect what I did wrong and what I did right. Also how will approach a similar situation n the future.

If you have no immediate feedback in your career how do you know if you are happy with your work or that you are actually doing a good work?

Would love to learn about your story.