Lessons from the Hidden Framework for Every Disney Story

Forgive me as I ruin every Disney-esque hero’s journey for you. Does this sound familiar? 

Part 1: A perfectly average person from a regular place grows up without much to report as extraordinary. 

Part 2: This average person is called to a quest or adventure. 

Part 3: The character refuses and resists the calling. 

Part 4: The character receives help either in the form of divine intervention and/or real world mentors. 

Part 5: The character decides to “cross the threshold” into the hero’s journey. 

Part 6: Trouble arises and the gifts and talents of the character are fortified through tests, trials, and tribulations. 

Part 7: The character must approach the deepest “inner chamber” to face the supreme challenge. 

Part 8: Triumph! “And, you can, too…”

There are countless breakdowns of Joseph Cmaobell’s “Hero’s Journey” and it’s played out in many stories beyond those of just Disney fame. However, when I was taught this framework by my neuro linguistic programming teacher, Nicole Schnieder, I was struck by the ending. She offered the above framework (more or less) as a format for us to write our own hero’s journey, but she made it mandatory to end with those four words. 

“And, you can, too.” 

I figured that the lessons and power of the hero’s journey must reside in the details of how specifically to become a hero, right?! As it turns out, the most powerful and important part of these stories is the invitation and encouragement for others to do the same.