Live as the Hero of Your Story
“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” – Viktor Frankl
If your life were a movie, what kind of story would it tell? Are you stepping into the role of the main character, shaping each scene with intention, or are you watching from the sidelines as the plot unfolds?
In Hero on a Mission, Donald Miller reminds us that every great story has these familiar characters:
Victim – Powerless and trapped.
Villain – Tears others down to feel significant.
Hero – Faces challenges, takes responsibility, and transforms.
Guide – Uses hard-earned wisdom to help others succeed.
Your life contains these characters also. Miller’s invitation to the reader is to choose to live as the hero. Heroes don’t just drift through life – they pursue a mission. And as they grow, they often evolve into guides who help others write inspiring stories of their own.
From Victim to Hero: The Mindset Shift
Heroes understand something that victims don’t: you have agency—the power to choose, to take responsibility, and to shape the direction of your life. As Viktor Frankl wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning, even in life’s hardest circumstances, we can discover purpose. When you step into this truth, you stop waiting for life to “happen” to you. Instead, you live with intention – designing adventures, embracing challenges, and creating meaning through the obstacles you’re willing to face.
Heroes Know What They Want
If you want to live like a hero, you first have to identify what you want. In the book, Miller outlines how to do this by creating a Hero on a Mission Life Plan. He encourages the reader to think about our ambitions like a writer thinks about a plot: specific, compelling, and forward-moving.
This involves asking questions like:
What is the “project” I’m willing to take action on?
Does it challenge me and pull me toward growth?
Will it benefit others as well as myself?
How to Create a Hero on a Mission Life Plan
Miller’s framework offers a practical way to clarify your vision and move forward with purpose:
1. Write Your Eulogy First
Imagine what you’d want people to say about you at the end of your life. Far from morbid, this exercise is clarifying—it highlights your deepest values and helps you align your daily choices with what truly matters.
2. Define Your Long-Term Visions
Using your eulogy as a compass, envision your future across 10-year, 5-year, and 1-year timeframes. These snapshots give your story direction and coherence.
3. Set Specific Goals
Translate your visions into actionable goals. Think of them as steppingstones on your heroic path—small, achievable projects that add up to something extraordinary.
4. Build a Daily Planner & Morning Ritual
Anchor your life plan with a simple daily routine. Miller recommends beginning each day by reviewing your eulogy, visions, and goals to stay focused and grounded. (You can try his free online planning tool here: Hero on a Mission Planner)
Your Story, Your Mission
This Hero on a Mission method is just one way to write a life plan. The point is to create a compelling vision that you are excited to step into, just like a hero in a great story.
If you’re ready to stop living on autopilot and start creating a meaningful, intentional life, step into the role of hero. Define your vision. Embrace your agency. And write your story – one purposeful day at a time.