Stories aren't what you think.
They reveal the most fundamental truths of the human experience.
There is one in particular you absolutely need to know:
I'm a Geek
Ever since I was a kid, I've loved having countless fictional role models.
Luke Skywalker. Aragorn. Iron Man.
Quick example:
One of my life goals is to develop the same skills as Batman (but maybe let's keep this a secret between us).
It's just for fun, but it shows how much I love having this fictional hall of fame.
I'm willing to bet there are many characters that you admire, who you are drawn to.
Perhaps not superheroes, but they're out there.
But why is this the case?
What is it about them that resonates so much with us?
And what does that say about how we should be leading our lives?
As it turns out, a lot:
The Importance of Story
It's conventional wisdom, especially in the business world, to become great at storytelling.
But have you ever stopped to think about what role stories actually play?
They're not just a neat little trick to make great PowerPoint presentations.
They also aren't just entertainment when we are recharging after a hard day of work.
They're much more than that.
We love to tell and hear stories because they speak to some fundamental truth about the human experience.
If you look carefully, the best stories all have a lesson to teach us:
The hare and the tortoise teach us about the value of patience.
Peter Pan warns us of the dangers of not wanting to grow up.
David defeating Goliath highlights the importance of ingenuity.
But stories aren't just events. They're made up of characters.
And more often than not, one of those characters is the hero.
Much like stories, the hero has something profound to show us.
Sometimes it's in the actions they take and sometimes their traits and qualities.
Heroes are built to show us how we ourselves should be.
It's not an abstract concept. We can feel it in our bones.
When we hear a great story with a hero at its center, we feel inspired.
We feel moved to take action in our own lives.
It all speaks to us deeply.
Mastery & Competence
So let's consider what exact traits these heroes have that are so important.
Stories come in countless shapes and forms.
But a recurring heroic trait is mastery and competence.
They are experts of something, far beyond normal levels.
Luke was gifted with the force, rivalling the evil leaders of the galaxy.
Iron Man was a genius with a scientific acumen far more advanced than other experts.
Sherlock Holmes can see what others can't due to his deductive and thinking skills.
Why do mastery and competence keep coming up again and again in stories?
Why are we so drawn to the hero?
In very simple terms: because we too need to achieve mastery and competence.
Learning gives us the tools to get out there and face what the universe has to throw at us.
Not only that, but to shape the world. To control chaos.
It's no wonder research show we are at our happiest when striving towards some noble goal.
Learning is essential to achieve our objectives.
To be in a better position to help others. To become all that we can be.
It's in our DNA.
So Remember:
Mastery and competence aren't just pursuits that can help you in your career.
Rather, they are a fundamental aspects of a life well-lived, of the human experience.
Remember this next time you watch a movie or read a great story.
Notice how the hero makes you feel. Notice the pull to lead a better life.
And use that feeling to fuel you.
Get out there and become the hero yourself.
If you enjoyed this article, you'll definitely like my newsletter.
Join the community below.
Comments