Finding Your Inner Hero: An Exercise In Self-Discovery

When you think of the concept of a hero, your mind likely jumps to the obvious: someone who selflessly put their lives at risk to save another, who fights tirelessly for a just cause, or who transforms the world of medicine overnight with a breaking discovery.

But most of these assumptions are based on the outer world, where moving through an obvious display of courage or sacrifice is generally the most defining characteristic of a hero.

We’d like to invite forward a different kind of hero, though – the kind that lives deep inside of you, who perhaps only comes forward once in a while but desires to have a greater presence in your life. They are the very best version of you.

What might it be like to live from a place of greater authenticity and self-leadership more often? What might it be like to find your voice and help others to do the same, moving beyond feeling insignificant and using your gifts to contribute to the world?

Getting to know your inner hero

Why is it important to connect with your inner hero?

Your inner hero reveals the character values which you believe in at your core such as love, fairness, connection, authenticity, and helping others. Illuminating what your hero believes in allows you to move more deeply into these values, holding the vision of a better way forward. The hero within you will show you areas where you can experience growth, grounding you into a place of positivity and possibility. They will guide you towards living purposefully and will remind you of the best qualities of your true self.

Questions for discovery of your inner hero:

You are invited to take some time to journal and reflect on the following questions. These prompts will help you to get to know your inner hero.

1. Who is your inner hero and what are their core values?
2. What are they engaging with that they are most excited about? Is there support that they need going forward?
3. What is awakening within your hero and what is their call to adventure?
4. What are the qualities and gifts of your inner hero?
5. If you could step into living as your inner hero, what does it feel like? (Examples: magical, intuitive, empathetic, connected, wise…)

Invitation to begin the hero’s journey:

Now that you have discovered who your inner hero is, consider what your hero’s journey might look like. What are you seeking beyond your comfort zone? How might the inner hero’s qualities and gifts come forward to contribute to the world? What transformation is your hero yearning to experience?

Are you living life in a way that is in alignment with your inner hero? Envision, through an image or an idea, what it might be like to step into embodying that person. Identify simple actions to make forward momentum towards bringing your inner hero to life.

Your inner hero is ready to come forward and lead – lean in.

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Quotes to support your hero’s journey

“I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.” – Maya Angelou

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” – Christopher Reeve

“Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with.” – Brodi Ashton

“More often than not, a hero’s most epic battle is the one you never see; it’s the battle that goes on within him or herself.” – Kevin Smith

“The hero journey is inside of you; tear off the veils and open the mystery of yourself.” – Joseph Campbell

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Looking for an experience that will help your inner hero come forward, or an opportunity to step into authentic leadership? Check out The Art of Facilitation, Foundations of Transformational Leadership Retreat.