A Hero's Journey

If you have not read or listened to A Hero’s Journey a talk given at BYUI, I highly recommend reading it.   Traditionally the hero’s journey goes something like this.  Phase 1 The Departure.  You leave the comfort of the life you have always known to go into the unknown.  Phase 2 The Initiation.  The hero faces some trials and tribulations and is tested. At this phase you meet allies, enemies, and mentors with supernatural powers to help you on your journey.  Phase 3 The Return.  Having endured the hardships and trials, having overcome obstacles, the hero returns a changed person.  Sometimes the change is physical, but usually the change is internal, and you cannot see it visually.  So, when the speaker in this talk states that, "You have a very special mission on this earth, a mission that will succeed beyond your wildest dreams, only if you have the faith and courage to pursue your entrepreneurial calling.” I immediate am curious.  I have been thinking about what this promise means as an entrepreneur who is still trying to figure out what I want to do, and what I would be good at.  What I have learned about this talk is that my entrepreneurial calling is a lot deeper than making money.

As a first step in the journey find great role models and ask what is most important to them?  Everyone who does this is surprised at the responses.  Making money is low on the list of importance compared to loving and serving others. 

Become world class in something.  Find out what your special gifts are by asking 5 people what you do better than everyone in the world.  The gifts that you think come easy to you are your special gifts from God.  These gifts should be giving you great joy. 

Satisfy a deep burning need in the world.  What need today calls out your heart?  This is where you should spend your time.  Serve others.  Make sure you list out your I will never do…list, to make sure you don’t cross the line ethically. 

If you do these things you will contribute something meaningful to this life.