Whether you’re writing fiction, starting a marketing campaign, crafting a pitch, or trying to ride the ups and downs of an entrepreneurial life — you might want to consider using this classic mental model. 

The Hero’s Journey is a universal story structure or archetype where, at a high level, a hero leaves their predictable world to go on an adventure; faces trials and learns a lesson; overcomes a huge challenge with their new learning; and returns to their world, transformed. 

THE STEPS IN MORE DETAIL. 

The model was first described by Joseph Campbell in 17 stages, I’ve gone with the modernised and shorter version outlined by Hollywood writer Christopher Vogler:

• Ordinary world, introducing the hero in their everyday life.
• Call to adventure, the incident that kicks off the story.
• Refusal of the call, the hero hesitates.
• Meeting with the mentor, the hero gains something — resources, knowledge, or confidence to overcome their hesitation.
• Crossing the first threshold, the hero commits to the adventure. 
• Tests, allies and enemies, the new world throws down trials and tribulations, friends and enemies. 
• Approach to the inmost cave, the hero nears the pinnacle of their challenge.
• The ordeal in the abyss, the hero faces the greatest challenge yet, they experience ‘death’ and are reborn.
• Reward, the hero experiences the consequences of surviving death.
• The road back, the hero returns transformed. 
• The resurrection, the hero experiences a final moment of death and rebirth so they are pure when they reenter the ordinary world.
• Return with the elixir, the hero brings something to improve their ordinary world. 

CHARACTER ARCHETYPES.

Vogler also described the character archetypes of hero, mentor, threshold guardian, herald, shapeshifter, shadow, ally and trickster — but if you want to know more about them I suggest going down to the origins and resources section and follow the link to see it explained with puppets. And, if you don’t believe that this model lies behind countless stories, view the in practice section for examples. 

STORYTELLING.

This model is obviously relevant if you’re crafting stories, but more broadly, it’s been applied to describe any journey in a range of domains. From understanding what it’s like starting a business, connecting with people with marketing narratives, describing customer experiences, delivering engaging pitches and so much more. 

LET'S BOIL IT DOWN.

If you're finding this all interesting but too hard to remember let alone apply, you might want to use this simplified framework from Pixar Story artist Emma Coates.

Once upon a time there was _____________.
Every day, _____________.
One day _____________.
Because of that, _____________.
Because of that, ___.
Until finally ___.

This framework has since been used by Daniel Pink to frame pitches. 

THE ENTREPRENEUR'S JOURNEY.

If you're an entrepreneur or innovator accustom to giving that quick pitch about your latest project think about how you might reframe that story using the hero's journey? What was the call to action? What prompted you to cross the threshold? And what was the ordeal and the lessons you learned from it? Now, how have you returned with something new? 

There's no doubt that applying this model in that context would make for a compelling, engaging and memorable story. 

CONSIDER CONTEXT. 

A final word of warning. Consider context, audience and intent before employing the Hero's Journey. It's not the only communication model to include in your latticework and, in some contexts, a more pointed approach such as Minto's Pyramid might be more appropriate and compelling.