This is an 8-part Antihero Overview Series, where you’ll learn and quickly apply key concepts at every stage of the Antihero’s Journey. You can find links to previous parts of the series at the bottom this newsletter.
You're probably itching to get to the Rebellion stage, but before you discover why you're rebelling against your purpose, you have to know what you're actually resistant to.
You have to look back and find out what your calling was in the first place.
If you've been so busy rebelling that you forgot what your calling is, don't worry. The deeper commentary (coming soon) for this stage will help give you some direction.
Stage Two: Recognition
Remember what it was like to have your calling revealed to you? You had a deep respect for it. You were floored at the fact that you were entrusted to something greater than yourself.
You eventually gained the confidence to believe you could fulfill your purpose. Family, friends, random strangers would tell you how gifted or different you were. That conviction spilled over into your ambition and commitment to answer your call.
You even became more selfless in the process. Now that you've gotten a glimpse of the bigger picture, it was easier for you to help and pour into others. And when it directly aligned with your purpose you especially counted the sacrifice as a win.
Here's the kicker: You don't find your calling. It finds you. But you can position yourself in a place to be more aware. Here's how:
1. Pinpoint specific changes in your behavior
When you first realize your call to greatness, a few things start happening:
Awe comes over you
Confidence emerges like never before
Ambition recalibrates to fulfill your purpose
Generosity becomes frequent and enjoyable
These are just some of the core attributes that begin to mature when you become aware of your purpose.
2. Take a few personality profile tests
Don't just take one. Take multiple tests or the same one at least twice over the span of a few weeks or months. Look for the overlapping talents or strengths in your life.
I took the Strengths Finder 2.0 test twice within 6 months and noticed three of the five strengths were consistent: Strategic, Ideator, and Connectedness. It helped me to figure out what I was strategic about, what I loved to ideate, and what I enjoyed connecting.
Don't have any money for high-end profile tests? The 16 Personalities test is a free assessment that’s been helpful. Also, see if you can pull up your old college student career profiles/assessments. After reading my profiles ten years later, I realized how spot-on they were.
Note: Don't mistake your calling for your gifts or strengths. I’ll have a more detailed perspective on this later.
3. Write out your recurring nightmares (of greatness)
Think about the ventures, projects or initiatives that haunt you. Why do they seem so daunting? Is it because you don't feel equipped to take on such a risk?
For the antihero, your calling is inconvenient, improbable and often difficult. When we dive deeper into the nature of callings we'll talk about this more, but this is what usually happens:
You become really skillful at something
You develop a passion for it
You misuse your talent
You are shamed and exiled (or you run)
You are called back to the thing you ran from
You feel inadequate, humbled by such a calling
You redevelop the passion you once had
You overcome with the help of the Giver and your community
There are many different ways to position yourself in a place to be more aware of your purpose. The goal isn't to waste time figuring out your calling, but to figure out yourself. Sure enough, your calling will find you. Just be ready when it does.
Tomorrow we’ll take a look at How to Find Your Rebellion Triggers.
Missed a Day? Catch up with the Antihero Overview Series Below:
Day 1: Are You an Antihero?