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Intro: Heroes, Villains, and Guides

Short URL: https://pjc.ai/bb045

 

In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo Baggins carries a cursed Ring to save Middle-earth, battling not just the evil Sauron but the Ring’s own seductive pull. In Star Wars: A New Hope, Luke Skywalker dreams of adventure, only to face Darth Vader and the Empire’s Death Star threatening his galaxy. These aren’t just epic tales—they’re mirrors of your life. You doubt me? Be patient! 

 

Picture this: you’re racing toward a goal—a project, a dream, or just a better day—but every step feels like wading through mud. Deadlines loom, doubts creep in, obstacles pile up. Sound familiar? Or, perhaps, a project is flying along, it looks like everything is golden! And then "it" happens! Life certainly seems like it's a story where the plot twists against you.

 

This trilogy was born from a chat with my mentor about “heroes and villains,” where heroes were helpers and villains could be people or situations. Reflecting on that, and inspired by StoryBrand, I reframed his observation: you are the hero, the action-taker chasing goals, you are the guide, lighting the way for others. Let’s consider your story through this lens.

 

As the hero, you’re defined by your goals and actions. Maybe you’re aiming for a promotion, a successful project, or a moment of peace. My mentor’s struggles sparked this view: I watched him tackle obstacle after obstacle, not just fighting deadlines but stepping up as his story’s protagonist. In our “heroes and villains” talk, he was a hero because he acted. StoryBrand clarified this: you’re the hero too, fueled by ambitions and choices, like Frodo choosing to carry the Ring or Luke taking on the Death Star. Heroes are forged by acting, no matter the odds.

 

Villains, as my mentor and I discussed, aren’t always people—they’re anything blocking your path. A toxic colleague, a tight deadline, self-doubt, or a dull routine can play the role, like Sauron’s forces or the Empire’s tyranny. Reverse engineer the challanges and these villains reveal what you value—deadlines sting because you care about impact; doubt haunts because you’re reaching for more. In the first article, we’ll name these villains—people or situations—so you can face them with clarity. Interestingly, the villains or only villains because they oppose our specific goals -- for example, a busy traffic isn't a "villain" until you're late for an appointment! Change your goals, change the villains -- know the goals, predict the villains.

 

Yet, you’re not just the hero—you’re the guide, too. One of our greatest gifts is guiding others with hard-earned wisdom. My mentor saw heroes as helpers, and StoryBrand shaped this into the guide’s role. He became my guide, urging me to write this trilogy, not solving my challenges but illuminating the path. Think of Gandalf guiding Frodo or Yoda mentoring Luke—they’ve faced villains and share clarity. You can do this too, inspiring others as you pursue your goals. In the third article, we’ll explore how to embrace this gift.

 

The stakes are high. Ignore villains, and you risk stagnation or a life smaller than your dreams. But face them as the hero, act on your goals, and guide others, and you’ll find clarity, growth, connection. Imagine obstacles shaping you, like Frodo’s journey or Luke’s rebellion, as you write your story. This trilogy, sparked by my mentor and shaped by StoryBrand, is about rewriting your narrative as hero and guide.

 

Your life weaves multiple stories—personal, professional, emotional. Over the next three articles, we’ll spot your villains, act on your goals, and embrace your guiding gift, all rooted in my mentor’s experience and wisdom. Start now: name one obstacle—your villain. Then, pick one goal—your action. Ready to face it? "Unfolding, your story is. Worth telling, let’s make it, hmm?"