An Introduction to The H.E.R.O. Defined

It’s time to get on board the Epic Train! Your ticket to ride is an acronym: H.E.R.O.

I know, you probably think personal development acronyms are corny. But hear me out!

I offer you the following as a way to remember four key aspects of mythic heroism:

• H is for Human
• E is for Elastic
• R is for Resourceful
• O is for Open

Let’s briefly dig deeper into what I mean for each concept:

H is for Human includes acceptance of – and tolerance for – human fallibility, and recognizing the necessity of failure (your own and that of others).

E is for Elastic encompasses the importance of adaptability when it comes to even the most painful events, especially those that make us fearful, doubtful, and uncertain.

R is for Resourceful involves the exploration of personal development tools and techniques you’ve never considered or used before, in order to grow mentally and spiritually.

O is for Open (or open-mindedness) refers to the conscious consideration of new ideas, and acknowledging the importance of other people in personal growth.

The links provided above connect to four separate posts, which give greater detail on each letter of H.E.R.O.

I firmly believe that cultivating the four aspects above can help you craft a more satisfying, engaged, and fulfilling life. Let H.E.R.O. be a mnemonic device, a mantra, a way to remember the importance of pushing yourself toward your personal goals.

Defining Epic

I also want to specify what I mean by “epic” in the context of Live the Hero. I’m talking about an ongoing story of adventure rather than an isolated event. Think more along the lines of The Epic of Gilgamesh instead of a YouTube video of a daredevil stunt.

Every day, you’re the Shakespeare of your life story. You’re the maestro of your own symphony. Ask yourself: are you composing a masterpiece, or plagiarizing someone else’s journey, going through the motions laid out by the expectations of others?

I’m not saying every moment of your life needs to be jam-packed with effort and meaning. Even boring days have a purpose, because they give you the opportunity to rest and reflect. So there should be no continual self-inflicted pressure to “perform.”

What I recommend is a daily habit of asking yourself, “what could I be doing today to move even a tiny bit closer to my goals? Even if it’s just one thing, what is that one thing?”

Back to the Train Metaphor

Let’s keep building steam for the self-maker revolution. Let’s commit to the work of making our lives epic, crafting a story worth remembering.

And make no mistake, there is work involved. It takes dedication and a conscious choice to work towards a mythic hero mindset. But to use the words of John F. Kennedy, we do these things “not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”

To say it another way: there are things worth struggling for, and you’re at the top of the list. Now more than ever, the world needs people who feel good about their lives. One of those people can be you.

Keep shoveling coal into the furnace of your own unstoppable locomotive!