The Art of Changing Course

CHAPTER 11Overcoming Pitfalls

This mission was clear: Sail to Ithaca. The process, well, not so much.

Homer's epic The Odyssey depicts a tireless and cunning Odysseus in his attempt to return to his home and wife after fighting for nearly a decade in the Trojan War. This deceptively simple task of sailing home evolves into 10 years of turmoil, presenting trial after trial for Odysseus and his crew.

Undoubtedly brave, strong, and clever, Odysseus like many feels victim to his brazen impulsiveness, pride, and arrogance. His bigheadedness led him to expose his name to Cyclopes, Poseidon's son, after taking his only eye. Poseidon's wrath ensued.

Despite warning and risk, Odysseus let his pride and arrogance guide his leadership time and time again, leading to dire consequences for his crew, ships, and length of his journey home. He tried blaming his crew and the gods, just resulting in further setbacks and hardship.

On this journey, Odysseus began to learn self‐control and acceptance as he recognized his arrogant ostentatiousness was just resulting in delays and suffering. From taking goddess Circe's advice about the sirens’ hypnotic singing to learning to accept what cannot be changed, Odysseus undergoes a gradual character development leading to a more humble, intentional person and leader, allowing his eventual return to his home, reclaiming his throne. The journey makes The Odyssey a timeless, classic representation of the hero's journey, but how much of that journey was merely ...