Joseph Campbell’s seminal 1949 book The Hero of a Thousand Faces popularized the notion of the Hero’s Journey, or monomyth. Campbell argued that many of humanity’s most famous stories share a common narrative blueprint that is particularly resonant with the human spirit. Campbell’s work has since offered a template for some of the most famous modern Western literature and film, including Star Wars, The Matrix, and The Lion King.
Just as the hero’s journey has inspired many modern books and films, it has also proved valuable to many in their everyday lives. Many therapists, coaches, and team leaders now encourage their clients and employees to view their lives as their own hero’s journey. Through this lens, many see themselves as the hero for the first time.
But there’s a problem: You are not a hero. I am not a hero. None of us is.
The hero’s journey suggests that external transformation in the world (i.e., social change) hinges on a singular hero overcoming whatever ails the kingdom. The hero (often quite literally referred to as “The One”) – through their incredible power, courage, and ingenuity – changes the world forever and returns forever changed themselves. Based on the blueprint of these powerful hero stories, many of us perhaps strive to be that hero ourselves.
The problem is: our world doesn’t actually work this way.
In mythical worlds, one person (perhaps with a trusted ally or two) can and must slay the dragon and restore the kingdom. In a single decisive act, the world is saved.
But in our tangible world, lasting social change at the scale of the polycrisis occurs systemically over a much longer period and in different places. It’s not the result of a single concrete event, but rather the result of gradually changing beliefs, norms, values, and behaviors en masse.
Real change requires millions of everyday people, each contributing their piece of the puzzle, each offering modest contributions that collectively amount to seismic shifts in culture and social systems. It requires an ecosystem, not a hero.
Inspiring, incredible, impactful people are everywhere. But heroes do not exist. They are a fantasy.
That is good news: You don’t have to waste your energy trying to be great. You can simply focus on doing your part in cultivating the greater good.
