Dan's Data Diaries: The Power of Purpose - Why I Created TechGuidr

From Instincts to Impact: The Journey to TechGuidr

For most of my life, I’ve been guided by a few simple but profound questions:

• Why am I here?
• What are my main goals in life?
• What do I want to be known for?
• How can I use my experiences to make a meaningful impact on others?
• What is my purpose, and why am I unique?
• What is the legacy I want to leave behind?
• How can I be 1% better than yesterday?

These questions have been my compass, shaping how I work, live, treat others, take risks, and discover purpose. They’ve led me through moments of joy, confusion, resilience, and transformation.

For most of my career, and my personal life, I’ve followed my instincts. Sometimes they’ve guided me down paths that didn’t work out as I’d hoped but every experience, whether good, bad, indifferent, horrid, or amazing, has shaped the person I am today.

Would I change anything? Not a chance.

Why? Life has a way of jolting us, through unexpected events or stark reminders of what truly matters. Every twist and turn holds hidden lessons, even if we can’t see them right away. The key is learning to find the meaning, no matter how challenging it may be.

The Human Side of Technology

At Microsoft, I feel at home because its mission - to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more - is not just a statement; it’s a mindset. Every day, I contribute to something bigger than myself, supporting people and organisations to harness technology in solving real-world problems. This is not just a company, it's a platform. That's the brilliance of Microsoft many miss, it really is a unique and great organisation to work for.

Technology has always been a passion of mine, but it’s the human side of it - the impact it has on people’s lives - that truly inspires me.

Yet, I haven’t always felt this clarity. Like many, I’ve faced challenges that tested my love for the work I do and left me questioning my purpose. Over a turbulent 12 months, life threw some significant challenges my way. During that time, I felt at odds with myself - disconnected from my passion, unsure whether I was using my skills meaningfully, and grappling with a persistent sense that something was missing.

Cluttered Mind, Unclear Path

During this period, I sought answers by reading, talking to others, and exploring ideas. But nothing seemed to stick. My mind felt cluttered, my thoughts unclear. It was as though my neurons were overloaded, my synapses too jammed to fire properly.

While reading Dr. Michael Gervais’ brilliant book, The First Rule of Mastery: Stop Worrying About What People Think of You, I came across an exercise that helped me map out the “sphere of control.” The process of listing what I could and couldn’t control was a breakthrough. I realised the issue wasn’t external - it was internal.

My mind needed a detox. In tech terms, I had to “defrag” my brain: process the piled-up events, archive unnecessary noise, analyse the insights I had overlooked, and create mental space for clarity.

Connecting the Dots

Another pivotal moment came from revisiting Steve Jobs’ Stanford Commencement Address. His words resonated deeply this time:

• Trust the process and have faith that the dots will connect in the future.
• Find what you love to do and don’t settle until you do. Passion drives excellence.
• Remembering that life is finite can help you make meaningful choices. Don’t waste time living someone else’s life.

Suddenly, everything clicked.

The seemingly random events, decisions, and challenges in my life connected in a way that revealed my purpose. It was as if a switch had been flipped, illuminating a path I hadn’t seen before.

The Power of Purpose

This revelation transformed how I think, live, and act every day. I wake up with excitement and a clear sense of purpose. Those close to me have noticed the change, even if I haven’t said a word. It’s not about being an influencer or content creator. It’s about sharing the insights I’ve gathered from my life - on wellbeing, psychology, learning, digital literacy, my unique personality and resilience plus many many more.

Through this journey, I’ve also noticed a growing gap in society - a divide in education, understanding, and readiness for the AI-driven future. This isn’t just a skills gap; it’s about empowerment, adaptability, and confidence in navigating the world we’re stepping into.

Introducing TechGuidr

This is where TechGuidr was born - a project and brand that’s deeply personal to me. It’s my way of turning everything I’ve learned about technology, learning styles, and the human side of transformation into a resource for people to thrive in the age of AI.

Let me be clear: I’m not leaving Microsoft. My work here fuels the insights I bring to TechGuidr and it's something I genuinely love. This is a side project designed to complement the work I’m passionate about - a brand and platform for change, empathy, and empowerment.

In the coming weeks, I’ll share more about TechGuidr, including exciting new frameworks I’ve been working on: operating systems designed to simplify and accelerate our future in the AI era.

Website: TechGuidr.com

LinkedIn: TechGuidr

The Mission

The goal of TechGuidr and my personal brand? To empower everyone - parents, educators, professionals, and businesses - to navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI with clarity, confidence, and purpose. To make it real, more human and advocate for lasting change.

Whether that's through:

• My Actions
• My LinkedIn Posts
• TechGuidr's Mission
• The AI Insider Newsletter
• The Website
• The Weekly Wellbeing posts
• or How I show up every day

It matters little, because finding your purpose isn’t just about what you do - it’s about what you inspire others to do.

If you make it this far, thanks for reading! I hope this inspires you to do something similar, as always I'm only ever a ping away if you want to chat or if I can help in anyway.

Stay tuned for more. I’m excited to take this journey with you and at what the future holds.