Make money doing the work you believe in
A big part of why The Odyssey made $264 million at the box office opening weekend is because people are sick of sleepwalking through life; humans are meant to exert effort and go on quests.
I’m not saying to set sail, sack Troy, or defy Zeus’ law and the fragile moral fabric that holds the world together. But you can train for a marathon, risk falling in love, start a company, get in shape, parent a child, learn an instrument, write your book, coach a team, etc. You can say no to endless convenience and, if you’re lucky, choose your hard.
Joseph Campbell coined the concept “The Hero’s Journey” to represent the archetypal myth of someone who leaves the safety of home, undergoes challenges, has their character shaped, learns lessons, and returns a stronger, wiser, and kinder person.
The hero’s journey is in large part based on The Odyssey. Since then, it shows up in all the most resonant stories: The Lion King, Frozen, Star Wars, Moana, and thousands more.
The reason is simple: we see the hero’s journey in all of us; meaningful struggle makes us feel alive.
When you give something your all and take responsibility for it, you face the very real chance of failure and accept the outcome, whatever it may be. It introduces you to your own capacity. You don't know what you're capable of until something bigger than you tests it.
Modern life optimizes the quest out of us. But facing friction, developing skill, and making progress—which is to say, mastery and mattering—are some of the most satisfying and humbling things there are.
The Odyssey comes at a moment when people are going through the motions, stuck in the shallows, and feigning nonchalance toward everything. Hopefully the movie—both the craftsmanship with which it was made and what it represents—inspires you to step into the arena and go on your own hero’s journey, to choose effort and care in a world of automation and ease.
—Parts of this were adapted from The Way of Excellence. If you found this post (and the movie) resonant, you’ll love the book. I promise it will help. bit.ly/TheWayOfExcellen…
