The path of the hero: the 12 steps that will lead you to the changes in life

Everyone wants to be ready for change. Unfortunately, when they occur, we often do not know what to expect next. How convenient it would be to hand the script over which happens every significant turn in our lives. Then we could prepare and know in advance what to do.

As it turned out, such a scenario exists. And learn how to use it simply.

What is the "hero's journey"? The author of this theory - Joseph Campbell, American scholar of mythology. 70 years ago in his book "Tysyacheliky hero"He came to the conclusion that they all have the same structure by analyzing the known myths of antiquity. Today it is called "the way of the hero."

It consists of 17 steps, which passes the main character in any story, from the moment the call of adventure before returning home. After the book was published this theory simplified to 12 steps, and began to be used for writing novels and screenplays. "The path of the hero" can be seen in the books and the Harry Potter films, hobbit Frodo, Luke Skywalker, and many others.

All stages of this road correspond with a normal life. midlife crisis, the beginning of a new project, the search for the calling - all this hero's journey, with his call of, testing and return.

If you deal with what's inside this cycle, which is repeated regularly in our lives, we can learn faster overcome crisis and zoom to achieve. But first, let's take a closer look at the steps elements.

The main stages of the "way of the hero"

1. Life in the ordinary world

Every journey has a beginning. A time when we are living in a state of status quo. We have created for themselves indestructible order and act in accordance with it, not thinking about change. Here begins all travel.

2. Call

That encourages us to change? The rejection of reality. When we get a sign that the current situation could lead to a tragedy.

The man realizes that his friends have professional successAnd he remained in the same place. Smoker learns that his friend died of cancer.

At this point, we think: leave everything as is, or to follow the call?

3. Refusal of the Call

Perhaps you are expecting that the next step will be the adoption of the need for change. Unfortunately, most people who heard the call, refuse to answer it. They blamed the signs temporary difficulties or influence others. For them, the call - it's just a thing that must be overcome to get back to my old life.

In theory, Campbell at this stage the hero meets the gatekeeper, who dissuades him from traveling. In life, it can be an inner voice, or people who do not support us. Therefore, a person even more doubts about whether to follow the call, and here comes the fourth stage.

4. Meeting with mentor

As mentioned above, often we do not have their own will, to begin the journey. According to Campbell, at this point in the fate of the hero's mentor should appear, which will hit the road. In life, this role can be played as a real person - a friend or relative - and something inanimate, such as inspiring book or movie.

The main thing is that the absence of a catalyst, without the support we decide to abandon the call and return to the familiar life.

5. The intersection of the threshold

With the help of a mentor hero crosses the threshold of the familiar world and meets with its reverse side. He realizes that the life he had seen before only from one angle, has many shades.

In reality, at this stage we are taking the first step towards a big change: leaving from the hated work, we get to know a new person. At the same time, we understand that the fear of something new in reality is not so great as we thought. Especially if we continue to support the teachers.

6. Meeting with the "dragon" and allies

When the protagonist switches the threshold, he is faced with the first trials. He lacks previous experience to cope with the new challenges, and, of course, he makes mistakes.

Where he was waiting for "dragons" who are trying to stop him: doubt, fear, lack of knowledge and so on. For example, if we left workWe begin to fear that the other does not find or settle into a new profession.

At this stage, the hero must find allies to help defeat the "dragons". advice of colleagues, friends, experts - we enlist the support in order to adequately pass the first test.

7. The point of "death"

If the hero manages to overcome all the trials, he gained experience and reaches the point of "death": the heaviest tests on the way. This can be a difficult task, a serious conversation or a fateful decision. For example, we ask ourselves whether this work - our true calling.

At this stage it is solved, whether the hero will be able to make out of his way a valuable lesson and will go with the same experience that had.

8. power gift

If the hero overcomes the point of "death", it gets a new experience that will help him cope with the new challenges.

In the new strategy, the principle can serve as a gift of strength, skill or habit. Something that people did not have before. Here he makes the most important discovery of the way.

9. Test

To make sure that the gift of strength work, the hero is faced with new challenges. But now he is armed. He learns in a different way to respond to the previous situation and achieves success in it.

10. Way home

After passing the test the hero decides to make a new experience gained part of everyday life.

11. mastery

At the same time, he practiced in the use of the acquired experience to become a master in it and fix it. Since trials that met on his way to become not just an event, but learned that it keeps for a lifetime.

12. History forces

The last step is to transfer the story of his journey. To keep the experience lived, a hero to share information about it with his tribe, family, friends, people who surround and support him.

So he allows others to use his knowledge and facilitate their personal "hero's journey".

What is the "hero's journey" in life

"The path of the hero" can last for weeks, months or years. It all depends on what area of ​​life he touches. This is how could look the way associated with search for vocations:

1. Ordinary world: past performance.
2. Call: Do you understand that this is not what you want to do in life.
3. Refusal of the Call: fear of change is holding you back, you weigh the "pros" and "cons" of possible care.
4. Mentor: useful book, and maybe, friends or partner to help you decide on what to look for work, which will bring you pleasure.
5. The intersection of the threshold: you make the decision to leave and look for his vocation.
6. Meeting with the "dragon" and allies: the search for a new job, the first failure, the need for a new experience or education.
7. The point of "death": you do the steps in a new profession, but admit serious errors and begin to doubt that will be able to overcome setbacks.
8. forces present: teachers, tips, support from loved ones help to survive this period. You begin to cope with all the difficulties and enjoy the new job.
9. Test: you take over more and more tasks, to make absolutely sure that this is your vocation, and to discover new facets of the profession.
10. Homeward Bound: you understand that this work - what you are looking for.
11. Skill: the months pass, you get additional experience in a new field and become a professional.
12. History of power: now you can help young professionals to see if they fit the work as a vocation, and to share their experiences with others.

How to use the "hero's journey"

The first step you have already done. You learned about it and now realize that major changes in life are cyclical.

The second step - to prepare for each stage of the cycle. Think about when and where to look for mentors and allies, to understand what may be your point of "death" and with whom to share his story forces.

The third step - to listen to the call and not be afraid to answer it. The path to change always begins with the call and doubt. You must be ready for it.

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People follow the "path of the hero" for thousands of years. Campbell just outlined patterns that underlie this adventure.

When you are confronted with changes in life, the way you pass on a par with the heroes of Greek mythology. But unlike classical tragedy, in real life, you have free will and the ability to decide if that's the way you want.

In any case, in order to understand this, you have to answer the call.

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