Inside Out: the Hero's Journey

I know there are no superheroes!

Seriously, the truly enchanting characters of any fiction saga aren't just those who defeat villains, but those who must deal with their emotions; overcoming dilemmas amid tears, pains, and many doubts?

Most of the villains we face daily are imaginary.

And yet, their power is felt on our skin; influencing our decisions, changing the course of things, and often preventing us from living fully.

If there's one theme that cannot be missing in a chat, it's human emotions.

TV, magazines, blogs, podcasts, and at every corner, digital or not, the subject is the same. Even cinema has embraced the world of mental health in a deeper, more respectful, and even more fun way.

In a reality where things change so fast, where there are so many variables and possibilities, both our knowledge and the emotions that lubricate this potential are required at a level never seen before in history.

But unfortunately, while we have infinite channels to learn and travel through the virtual world, we often prefer to stay at the door, laughing at some funny video or sharing memes.

Is it wrong? Not entirely!

However, just as the printed book was a violent blow to the chains that bound us to the silent world of ignorance, we also don't see libraries crowded with people seeking free and accessible knowledge.

Similarly, Digital Intelligences and their derivatives will, unfortunately, be restricted to the hungry who are always seeking a new flavor for their knowledge. Exploring ever deeper layers of what they believe has no limits in their adventures of designing futures.

They are always insatiable.

In a recent podcast with Gustavo Donato , he mentioned that we won't lose our jobs to any AI, but "to people who use them creatively". For him, those who do not dedicate themselves to lifelong learning do not create futures (plural), but a destiny (singular), that is, irrelevance and likely uselessness.

It's not just about learning to "operate" computers, the internet, and artificial intelligence tools. The issue is more delicate and intimately human.

The challenge lies in our ability to hack our emotions (a concept I learned from another podcast, with Gabriel Albuquerque , to understand capacities, cognitive limits, and sometimes hidden or underdeveloped abilities.

For example, we use excerpts from philosophical texts or poems to "decorate" the beginning of book chapters, important letters, epic and memorable declarations, gravestones, and an endless number of moments and spaces that we consider important. But then why does the act of thinking and the use of poetic technology not become part of our daily lives, as an exercise to sensitize our senses and update our cognitive "software"?

There are hidden treasures in a little-known world, repeatedly considered dangerous, inhospitable, and inaccessible. Perhaps the fear of establishing an intimate relationship with our internal layers is the answer to such alarming numbers of depression and anxiety.

Perhaps the distance between us and ourselves is the result of years of imagining that the best answers are always on the outside.

The child, in the massive majority of cases, is almost always effusive in search of new discovery adventures. Perhaps our imaginary friends have been playful versions of our own selves, technically called the unconscious, a companion who shouts but we prefer to pretend we're not listening, as "maturity" steals precious time that must always be useful, applied in hard work.

As time goes by, life loses its colors and the taste of adventure, giving way to an immense amount of licit or illicit chemical resources, in the fragile attempt to simulate some kind of joy.

We don't know the universe of our own emotions well. It seems to be a forbidden place, where ironically we keep the lights off because we're afraid to see something scary.

Fortunately, the good news is that there is indeed an incredible world within our minds, but it requires courage to face the monster of imperfection, which we have invented throughout our lives.

Disconnect from distractions and take a stroll through that little head of yours; without fear or hesitation. Sit down, lower the volume of your thoughts, stretch your legs, take a deep breath, and let yourself be carried away.

As we navigate this ever-evolving universe, we are confronted with fundamental questions: How can we develop our ability to abstract and see beyond the obvious? How to deal with the paradoxes that arise in our path, turning them into opportunities for growth? What is the secret to connecting seemingly disconnected ideas and turning them into innovative solutions?

In his reflections, Albert Einstein used to say that a mind that opens up to a new idea "will never return to its original size".

That's brilliant, as it highlights the importance of mental flexibility and willingness to explore new horizons.

This allows us to embark on a journey of discovery to explore valuable facets of our creativity and understand how they can drive innovation in our personal and professional lives.

Remember that every obstacle is an opportunity for growth and that every challenge can be transformed into a source of inspiration and innovation. By adopting an open and receptive mindset to continuous learning, you will pave the way for an unprecedented future, with your signature, full of endless possibilities.

Don't let the fear of the unknown or uncertainty stop you from moving forward. Instead, embrace the journey with courage and determination, knowing that every step you take towards your own evolution is a step towards a more creative, vibrant, and full-potential world.

Just as in fiction, the allegories about the power of heroes' emotions apply to all of us. Pay attention to what is valuable in your most intimate ideas and desires. That which identifies you as a unique being.

Recently, I had the delightful privilege of having a super pleasant and full of incredible insights chat with my new friend Izabela Mioto for the CrieAtive+ Podcast .

During the journey, amidst so many perspectives and views of instigating futures, she mentioned the experience with her offspring (son), Luca, only 14 years old, and how the challenge of educating a child for the world is an eternally unfinished work of art, but it gives immense pride when you realize that you are on the right track.

After watching the video and reading the letter that Luca produced, with his view of life, I learned that children do not need many presents, but presence. I also learned that there is an Invisible School, where only they, the children, are unquestionable masters, in which none of us should wish to graduate to become "adults".

We became adults too quickly, and we lost the powerful ability to not be afraid of our own ideas. We blindly obey and accept the game as it is, even if we do not agree with most of the rules.

We fear faults, clashes, and red cards. We are almost always on the defensive, living in the average, to avoid pain, discomfort, and the spotlight.

I learned from my new teacher Luca, 14 years old, that I no longer need to be afraid of what is inside me, as long as I share it with other people and allow myself to grow with each of these interactions.

The time has come to hack my emotions, always learning, from all available teachers. It's time to appreciate more moments of silence, when we can hear the voice that we all have, and that always has something to say.

Our inner child is still alive, waiting for an invitation to play.

They are always insatiable.

Would you have the courage to bring it back to share your adult life?

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There are many more insights on Creative Innovation, Leadership and Technology, Entrepreneurship, and the future of Education and Work on my article shelf; Don't forget to check out my books on Amazon; and if you want to hire my coLAB's (Collaborative Innovation Labs) or lectures, just get in touch.