We are Naturally Autonomous and Self-directed

                     Photo by Sandro Tedeschini

We’re Born to Steer Our Own Ships: The Truth About Being Naturally Autonomous

Let’s get something straight: humans are not robots. We’re not deigned to be programmed, remote-controlled, or micromanaged.  From the time we’re toddlers taking our first steps or trying to “drive” the car from the driver’s seat (with zero driving qualifications, mind you), we’ve been naturally autonomous. Yes you read that correctly—we come pre-installed with this amazing feature called Self-Direction.

Now, before you roll your eyes and say, “Sure, tell that to my boss who thinks I need to be checked on 3 times a day,” hear me out. Autonomy isn’t just about working remotely in your pajamas while sipping your morning coffee ☕(though, let’s be honest, it sounds pretty great). This is about something deeper, something hardwired into us from birth: the drive to explore, to make choices, to learn, to mess up once in a while, to try again, and most importantly—to be in the driver’s seat of our own lives.

Babies: The Original Self-Starters

Let’s look at babies for a moment. Nobody teaches a baby to crawl. They see something shiny across the room, they want it, and there you have it—crawling starts . Nobody needs to motivate a toddler to explore the kitchen cabinets or color with a sharpie on the walls. My kids especially. They are self-directed little energy balls, powered by pure curiosity (and maybe a sugar rush from apple juice).🍎

That's autonomy in action. No deadlines, no reward systems, and no lectures. Just a spark inside. That's how we all begin. In other words, we're *still* wired that way. Color-coded spreadsheets, corporate offices, and school bells all attempted to quell our inner adventurer at some point. Don't worry, though; that independent spirit is still there, most likely hidden beneath your third cup of coffee of the day and a mountain of unopened emails.

So, What Exactly Is Autonomy?

Autonomy really just means having the freedom to make your own choices. It means feeling in control of what you do, how you do it, and why you’re doing it. It’s not about avoiding any structure in life (because chaos is exhausting), but more about having ownership.

And the amusing part? When we have it, we flourish. Research indicates that a sense of autonomy increases people's motivation, creativity, and satisfaction. Giving someone a small amount of autonomy to choose their own route can instantly fill them with passion, ideas, and energy. Growth is unavoidable, just like when you give a plant water and sunlight.

Ever Tried Telling a Teenager What to Do?

Telling a teenager exactly how to spend their life is a practical example of how humans are innately self-directed. You'll either get an instant revolt that leads to pink hair and an interest in interpretive dance, or you'll get an eye roll that could power a small city. This is because, deep down, we *all* want to make our own decisions, even if those decisions occasionally result in regrettable tattoo choices or weird haircut periods.

The Magic of Choice

Choice has great power. Learning anything is something you choose to do. When you decide on a goal, you put your heart into achieving it. You feel more secure when you dress anyway you want, even if that means wearing a superhero cape and mismatched socks. We don't require constant supervision, coercion, or bribery. We must be trusted.

When you give someone agency, you can see them take the initiative instead of pulling them along. That holds true in relationships, the job, education, and even hobbies. During the Covid lockdown, no one made you develop a sourdough bread obsession. That was unadulterated independence.

But What About Responsibility?

Ah, yes. The classic form of fear: “If everyone’s autonomous, won’t the world descend into chaos? Who will do the dishes, robots?”🤖

Good point. Autonomy isn’t the same as doing whatever you want, whenever you want, like a raccoon going through your garbage can. It comes with responsibility. But guess what? When people are genuinely invested in their life's actions—when they feel they’ve chosen something freely—they’re MORE likely to do it well.🔥

Autonomy doesn’t mean you skip the chores and important tasks—it means you take ownership of them. Maybe not joyfully, but with a sense of dignity. Maybe you’ll even make a game out of it. (Dishwashing and dancing, possibly?)

The Autonomy Equation: Trust + Freedom + Purpose

If you want to bring out the best in yourself (or others), here’s the secret to it:

Trust – Believe that people (including yourself) are capable of making the right choices.

Freedom – Create space to make those decisions.

Purpose – Connect those decisions to something meaningful.

That results? It’s rocket fuel for motivation. It turns work into passion, learning into adventure, and to-do lists into treasure maps.

Autonomy in Action

Consider the times when you felt most *you*, most alive, and most involved. They probably weren't when someone was giving you instructions at every turn. More likely, they were times when you were making something, coming up with your own solution to a problem, taking a chance, or simply pursuing your curiosity in an exciting and strange way.

Perhaps it was learning a new language, building a treehouse, beginning a side business, or finally figuring out how to prepare lasagna without calling your mother for instructions. Autonomy is what drives those wonderful times.

Final Thoughts 

The fact is that you were destined to be self-directed from birth. It's your secret superpower, your natural condition. You taught yourself to walk, talk, and use a spoon, so keep that in mind the next time someone or you doubt your capacity to lead your own life. Basically, you can't be stopped.



The world may attempt to confine us to rules and routines, but at our core, we are creators, explorers, and decision-makers. Steer your own ship, then. Set your own direction. If you wish, put on that superhero cape.

 Autonomy with responsibility—we got this.👍

Thanks for reading. Let me know a story of when you self-directed your life and how it turned out by leaving a comment below. If you love listening to podcasts then you can follow me by clicking here👉Wise Mindset Guy Podcast