I’m finally getting around to tying up some loose ends, one of them being my long overdue take on the book “Be the Hero: Three Powerful Ways to Overcome Challenges in Work and Life” by Noah Blumenthal.
I’ve often used the Jobacle soapbox to preach that you have the power to improve your work situation, despite the seemingly uncontrollable obstacles in your way. Every day at work you have a choice to make it a ‘good’ day or a ‘bad’ day. The same goes for being a victim or hero. Which would you rather be? The hero of course! (sans the tight spandex and silly cape).
Written as a parable (succinct prose that illustrates a moral lesson, for those of you who forgot English 101), the breezy book tells the tale of EveryWorker Jeff, an office dweller who learns how to transition himself from zero to hero, gaining new perspective thanks to ‘Hero Coach’ Martin.
What I like best about the book is that it outlines actionable ideas that anyone can implement instantly, resulting in a better work experience ASAP.
At the backbone of the book are ‘stories,’ broken up into three branches: People Stories, Situation stories and Self Stories. Depending on these stories, you define yourself as a hero or a victim.
As a tremendous fan of most Buddhist practices, I appreciate the book’s simplistic approach to self-reflection and empathy. I have personally instituted several of the thought processes in this book and can tell you firsthand that they work. I’m not ready to call myself a hero, but I know that I am much less a victim then I was several years ago.
So stop complaining and start asking yourself ‘what would the hero see?’ We all have room for more hope and gratitude, so stock up, buy Be the Hero today.
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