The Steps in the Hero’s Journey

 

 

1. The Ordinary World

The Hero is living life as it is.

• You’re working your job, not thinking about much of anything.
• You’re running your business in a business-as-usual sort of way.

 

2. Hearing The Call

Something happens that gets The Hero’s attention, either externally or internally, calling them to leave their Ordinary World behind.

• You get fired, laid off, have had it with the boss yelling at you one more time – is it time to leave your joby-job?
• There’s an idea or a conversation that won’t go away in the back of your mind about starting a business, or changing something in your current business…

 

3. Refusal of The Call

The Hero says – Nope. No thank you! I don’t think so.

• I’ll stay here in my joby-job, or look for another joby-job, because it’s safer.
• Adding/changing something in my business is too much work, I don’t know how, things are good enough as they are.

 

4. The Mentor Appears

An external or internal entity gives The Hero the courage to go for it.

• Someone you admire shares their business origin story, you recognize yourself in that story, and are inspired to do your own thing.
• The voice inside your head becomes impossible to ignore and turns into a guiding force, beckoning you forward.

 

5. Crossing the Threshold

The Hero leaves the nest, and their snow globe gets turned upside down.

• You quit your job!
• You take the first step on that new thing in your business.

 

6. Trials and Tribulations, Friends and Foes

The Hero faces tests of their ideas and determination, also meets allies and teachers to help show the way.

• Things don’t run as smoothly as you thought they would, and take longer and feel harder than you anticipated.
• You have friends and colleagues who see your vision, also encounter those who don’t get it.

 

7. Primal Ordeal

The Hero’s darkest fear comes knocking on the door.

• It’s time to face the deepest fear you’ve been trying to ignore, or outrun.
• You must admit to yourself all.the.things – the only way out is through.

 

8. The Payoff

Things are working out for The Hero.

• Your plan is working – yay!
• You’re free of what was holding you back, and can now enjoy the payoff.

 

9. Getting Out

Just when The Hero thought the coast was clear, another round of challenges appears.

• Your inner demons circle back around, things aren’t working the way you hoped they would, people push back on your ideas.
• You dig deep for the reserves you need to get out of this mess.

 

10. Resurrection

A final, hellacious test, demanding all The Hero’s got.

• All the doubts and fears that remain make an appearance, threating to derail everything.
• Ultimately, you’re victorious! Death of the old you, birth of the you of now.

 

11. A Gift for the People

The Hero returns home transformed, bearing the gifts of newfound wisdom to share with others.

• Your business is working! Your clients are happy!
• You have new understanding and appreciation of who you are, and what you’re capable of.

 

And now that you know where you are, here are a few more questions to consider:

• Where are you headed?
• How far down the path are you?
• What do you need most in the spot you’re at right now?

 

Knowing where you are, where you’re headed and what you need to get there are vital keys to keep you moving towards your destination, while also enjoying the journey.

 

But who wants to go it alone? As you follow the steps in the hero’s journey, you’ll need support. Things like ideas, resources, and inspiration to keep you moving and that provide more clarity and ease than you’re likely to have going it alone. If you’d like some company along the way, check out my Reinvention Journey Community, where you’ll find all this and more.

 

 

A special nod to Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces, and Steven Pressfield’s The Artists Way, for inspiration.