Becoming Your Own Hero

By Brigit Atkin

"Don t just write a strong female protagonist; Be one." –Adrienne Posey, author and screenwriter

Novice authors and screenwriters often make the common mistake of writing heroes by default; they create characters whose names are on almost every page but who are only the leads due to the frequency of their appearances. They are victims of circumstance who don’t drive the story through their choices. Instead, they react. They focus their creative energies on the bad guys and the continuing escalation of crises.

This can be true in our personal stories as well. There is a homework assignment that I give to many of my clients who struggle. It’s called Write a New Script for Yourself. This assignment is meant to get my client to redirect the story of his or her life. As the director, each gets to say, “Hey, enough of the victim’s act. No more drama. Instead, start thinking, speaking, and acting like a hero/heroine.” In my mentoring program, I have a list of “quality questions” that I ask. One of these questions is the following: In the story of my life, am I a victim, survivor, or a hero/heroine? Both of these exercises help a person to change their paradigm by stepping out of a victimhood mentality and into one of a champion.

Andy Andrews explained this concept well in his books The Traveler’s Gift and Mastering the Seven Decisions. Listed as Andrews’ first decision for personal success is “The Buck Stops Here.” Andrews explains the importance of this decision with the following statement: “From this moment forward, I will accept responsibility for my past. I understand that the beginning of wisdom is to accept the responsibility for my own problems and that by accepting responsibility for my past, I free myself to move into a bigger, brighter future of my own choosing.

“Never again will I blame my parents, my spouse, my boss, or other employees for my present situation. Neither my education nor lack of one, my genetics, or the circumstantial ebb and flow of everyday life will affect my future in a negative way. If I allow myself to blame these uncontrollable forces for my lack of success, I will be forever caught in a web of the past. I will look forward. I will not let my history control my destiny.

“The buck stops here. I accept responsibility for my past. I am responsible for my success.”

I would add to these wise thoughts that you are responsible for your triggers even though they may be caused by others. You don’t have any control over the behavior of others, but you do have control over how you respond.

Problems, heartaches, and challenges are part of life. I contend that we can look at them as opportunities or stepping stones—even as gifts. In fact, without the challenges, how could we possibly be the heroes or the heroines of our stories? It is adversity itself that makes us great, if that is what we choose.

Author Sarah Ban Breathnach said, “At the very moment that you choose the forest path to find your way home rather than being chased into the thickets by the villain, you become the lead character—the hero. It can’t be your life until it’s your story. By claiming one, you begin to own the other.”

If you want to change your life, change your narrative. Decide that you are the protagonist of your story. Choose to step out of perpetual crisis and into intentional action. Become your own hero. Be the heroine of your life story.

The end.

About the Author

Brigit Atkin–Brigit of Brightworks helps improve the lives of others facing challenges and difficulties. She is certified in the SimplyALIGN™ method and was trained by founder Carolyn Cooper herself. For more information, visit www.brightworksbybrigit.com.

Brigit Atkin