The Hero’s Journey

The 12 Steps of a Great Story - Tell Your Story

The Hero’s Journey

It’s a format for telling your story.

It’s a template for personal growth.

It’s a universal plot - “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” Joseph Campbell

Status Quo

Our journey begins with Just hanging around doing ..

not very much

Call to Adventure

Turning to you she screams, “Somebody needs to do

SOMETHING!” (Because the bookshelf collapsed and

you need a new bookshelf.)

Assistance/ Find a Mentor

{feeling inadequate} You seek out guidance and find

an older, wiser man to teach you what you must do to right the wrongs and slay the dragon. (via Googling)

Departure

You are suddenly transported through space and time… as you drive to

the store.

Trials

Being buffer and tougher, wiser and kinder, from the training

you received from your mentor (you got directions to the

store), you face all the stuff this quest pushes your way. -You

even face the dreaded missing screws in the box!

Approach

Now, finally.. you face the source of all the wrongs you are “righting”! – you

finally put it together.

Crisis

And lose, badly, I mean really bad. – It’s upside

down and backwards, you feel defeated, so you get

something to eat.

Treasure

But wait! With what seems like your last breath, (in this

case your last bite) you hatch a plan to slay the

beast, and it dies! And she says “My Hero!” – Yes, you take it all apart and do it

over…right!

Result

Now all the citizen can come out from hiding again and live

peacefully and joyfully, and you you are changed because of this quest.  (OR… And you move all

the books from the broken bookshelf to the one you just put

together.)

Return

Life is good and you head back to the couch, having completed your mission.

(With a sniff of delight and a book in your hand.)

New Life

You are now the wiser, stronger man others seek

out. (“Hey, can you help me put this cabinet together?”)

Resolution

Meanwhile, all the cliffhanging friends in the story find their

footing and all problems great and small are all better now.  -

In other words all the children stops walking around and over the pile of books on

the floor.

New Status Quo

Upgraded normal guy! But now you are

better prepared for life’s challenges, like when the

faucet springs a leak!

You are a HeroYou may never slay a dragon, so what! Face your

challenges, they all add to your character.

Hero’s Story

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” Joseph

Campbell