Think back to the last big challenge you faced — in your career or in your personal life. How did you respond to it? Were you thankful? Maybe not at the time, but afterwards? Here’s to Thanking Our Dragons — the counter-intuitive approach to responding to life’s challenges.
Years ago I traveled to Denver for a conference where I was slated to give a talk. A talk I’d put far more work and worry into than I care to admit. And one that activated all of my self-esteem gremlins. It was a talk I’d signed up for, so I had no one to blame but myself.
Even though I’ve done a lot of teaching and presentations over the years, I still get nervous. I worry about whether or not I’ve got anything worthwhile to say, and whether or not I’m the person to say it.
Why put myself through this?
Probably for the same reason you program that difficult work, or launch into writing that composition, article, or book — because it’s the one you’ve been afraid to tackle. Because the challenge is worth it. Because what you gain in the process far outweighs the pain of actually doing the thing.
The talk I gave was on using the Hero’s Journey as metaphor and roadmap for musicians’ projects and artistic development.
As metaphor, the hero’s journey explains how life really works. How people change and are transformed by their struggles and experience. So of course, it was perfect that a talk on this subject was kicking my ass.
Here’s a quick refresher on the hero’s journey. It’s the narrative pattern that animates many of our favorite films and novels. It’s the essential structure, the DNA that underpins everything from The Wizard of Oz to Star Wars, from The Magic Flute to the Harry Potter series, and from The Ring cycle to the Odyssey.
How does the Hero’s Journey work?
In stories and myths, the hero starts out in her everyday world where she receives a “call to adventure” to go forth on a quest. There’s help along the way from a mentor. Luke has Obi Wan Kenobi and in The Wizard of Oz Dorothy has Glinda The Good Witch.
Heroes also find allies. Luke has Han Solo. And Dorothy has the Scare Crow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. It’s great to have all this help because in myths — just as in life — heroes need it.
Essentially the hero’s quest takes her from her ordinary world to an extraordinary one, where she’ll face a series of trials (in The Magic Flute it’s trials of fire and water). These obstacles increase in danger until the hero faces an ultimate challenge — she must slay the dragon.
This is the “all is lost moment” when the hero faces her biggest ordeal. This is Dorothy locked in the Wicked Witch’s tower with the hour glass measuring out the remaining moments of her life.
The hero faces death and is transformed in the process. She must bring the treasure — the wisdom gained from her journey — back home to share with others. Heroes serve a higher purpose: to become who they’re meant to be so they can contribute fully to their community.
The Hero’s Journey explains how life really works.
In striving for our goals, we will inevitably face self-doubt, fear, and setbacks. In confronting these ‘dragons,’ we must let go of our ‘old selves’ to make room for the person we are becoming. It’s the scary and necessary process of becoming who we are meant to be.
‘Dragons’ are essential for transformation.
For me, in going through the angst of preparing the talk and delivering it, the real win was in what I learned in the process, the ideas I was able to clarify for myself and share with others. I faced the all is lost moment about three days before the talk, when my confidence was non-existent, when I realized I had far more material than could be presented in the time I had. It wasn’t pretty.
Confronting the dragon is about dealing with our worst fears. It’s about accepting the reality of ourselves, warts and all, and choosing to move ahead regardless. Project by project, each its own heroic journey.
Dragons can incite the fighting spirit and the resilience needed to push ahead.
Working on and delivering the talk forced me to get more honest, more clear about my message, my values, and my self. This led to a better talk and to a more courageous me.
Do I wish I could have prepared the talk in less time, with less anguish, and stress? Sure. But I accept that what happened was what it actually took for me to learn what I needed to learn. Those are MY dragons and I’m thankful for them.
Every project we take on is its own heroic journey, and our careers are built of a series of such journeys, dragons included.
I’m happy to report that several clients in recent weeks have reported big wins in their artistic growth and in their career credits — YAY! But their wins were of course hard won, too — these took courage.
That’s why I love coaching musicians — it’s so inspiring — helping them move forward through their fears, deal with their dragons, and complete yet another heroic journey on their path to artistry.
If you’d like to have an introductory coaching session to see how we might move past your dragons to get your career into full forward motion, book a time with me HERE.
Let’s get on the path to your better future,
Dream Big, Plan Smart, Live Well
