Introduction

Within each of us lies a H.E.R.O. and a V.I.L.L.A.I.N. These two archetypes are responsible for many aspects of our lives, including our successes and failures, triumphs and shortcomings. So who are they? In this article, we will identify the H.E.R.O. and the V.I.L.L.A.I.N. We will explore where they come from and how we can use them to our benefit in future articles.

Psychological Capital: Building Blocks of the Inner H.E.R.O.

Our inner H.E.R.O. is based on four characteristics of our psychological capital. Psychological capital is much like any other capital that you might know of. Just like we can grow our financial capital or improve our social capital, we can also elevate our psychological capital by focusing on these four positive characteristics. H.E.R.O. stands for Hope, Efficacy (confidence), Resilience, and Optimism.

The V.I.L.L.A.I.N. Rises: Antihero of the Mind

But every H.E.R.O. requires an antihero, a V.I.L.L.A.I.N. Without an adversary, does the hero really exist? Comic books wouldn't be very entertaining without a villain. Without Thanos, The Avengers: Endgame would never have become the highest-grossing superhero movie to date, at $2.8 billion worldwide. Like the inner H.E.R.O., the inner V.I.L.L.A.I.N. is also an acronym. It stands for Victim Mentality, Insecurity, Limiting Beliefs, Learned Helplessness, Avoidance, Intolerance, and Negative Self-Talk.

Yin and Yang: The Dance of Duality

This duality is mirrored in every part of our lives. We cannot experience happiness without knowing what sadness feels like. We can never know success if we’ve never known failure. Here, we cannot have a H.E.R.O. without a V.I.L.L.A.I.N, a David without a Goliath, a Luke Skywalker without a Darth Vader.

Why We Need Both: The V.I.L.L.A.I.N.'s Surprising Role

While building our inner H.E.R.O. is extremely important, we must use the V.I.L.L.A.I.N. in the process. While our inner H.E.R.O. has the strength to overpower our inner V.I.L.L.A.I.N. Our inner V.I.L.L.A.I.N. serves the significant purpose of allowing us to recognize and call upon the H.E.R.O. within us. The greatest benefit the V.I.L.L.A.I.N. provides us is awareness. By naming the V.I.L.L.A.I.N. and recognizing when it shows up in our thoughts and actions, we can turn on the “bat signal” to call in our inner H.E.R.O. Below are brief explanations and examples of the characteristics of our inner H.E.R.O. and V.I.L.L.A.I.N.

Hero: Positive Traits & Beliefs

Hope (H): A positive state of mind and an emotional quality. Having faith in your abilities and the potential to succeed so that you can pursue your dreams.

• Category: Trait

• Situation: Faced with a challenging project.

• Example Statement: "This project is tough, but I believe in my ability to figure it out. It's a chance to learn and grow."

Efficacy (E): The confidence that you can achieve a goal or succeed in a particular circumstance. Possessing self-confidence means you're willing to put in the time and effort necessary to reach your objectives.

• Category: Belief

• Situation: Preparing for a job interview.

• Example Statement: "I've prepared well for this interview. I trust in my skills and know I can showcase what I bring to the table."

Resilience (R): The ability to “bounce back” when faced with hardship. It incorporates aspects of your thoughts, feelings, and actions and is more commonly seen as a process than a static attribute.

• Category: Trait

• Situation: Dealing with a personal setback.

• Example Statement: "Things didn't go as planned, but I've faced challenges before. I'll pick myself up and keep moving forward."

Optimism (O): A positive outlook on life, expecting good things to happen. It influences how we approach challenges and the meaning we give to those challenges.

• Category: Trait

• Situation: Starting a new fitness routine.

• Example Statement: "I'm excited about this journey to better health. I know it's going to be challenging, but expect to see positive changes as I stick to my routine."

V.I.L.L.A.I.N.: Negative Traits, Beliefs, & Patterns

Victim Mentality (V): Viewing oneself as a perpetual victim of situations and circumstances. Blaming others for our misfortunes.

• Category: Trait/Pattern

• Situation: Facing criticism at work.

• Example Statement: "Why does this always happen to me? It's like I can never catch a break."

Insecurity (I): A persistent feeling of inadequacy or self-doubt, which can hinder confidence and decision-making.

• Category: Trait

• Situation: Invited to a social gathering with people you know casually.

• Example Statement: "I'm not sure if I should go. What if they don't find me interesting? I might not fit in, and they'll realize I'm not as confident as I seem."

Limiting Beliefs (L): Negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world that limits our actions and possibilities.

• Category: Trait

• Situation: Considering pursuing a new hobby.

• Example Statement: "I'm probably not good enough to do this. It's better not to try and avoid embarrassment."

Learned Helplessness (L): A mindset where an individual comes to believe they have no control over a situation, leading to a sense of powerlessness.

• Category: Pattern

• Situation: Faced with a complex problem.

• Example Statement: "I don't think I can solve this. It's too difficult, and I never seem to have control over these situations."

Avoidance (A): Habitually avoiding problems or tough situations to protect the self or ego.

• Category: Pattern

• Situation: Joining a club or group to pursue a hobby you're interested in.

• Example Statement: "I don't think I'll sign up. What if I'm not as good as the others? It's easier to just keep to myself. I'll probably embarrass myself if I try."

Intolerance (I): A lack of openness to new ideas and viewpoints limiting personal and social growth.

• Category: Trait/Pattern

• Situation: Discussing a different opinion.

• Example Statement: "I can't believe they think that way. They're wrong, and I don't want to hear it."

Negative Self-Talk (N): Constantly engaging in pessimistic or self-sabotaging inner dialogue, affecting overall well-being and self-esteem.

• Category: Pattern

• Situation: Facing a mistake at work.

• Example Statement: "I always mess things up. I can't do anything right."

Conclusion

In conclusion, these cognitive beliefs, psychological traits, and behavioral patterns collectively influence how we perceive and navigate the world around us. Most importantly, they can all be improved or transformed, depending on the area of focus. By recognizing that a H.E.R.O. and a V.I.L.L.A.I.N. exist within each of us, we become better able to live richer lives, overcome barriers, and show up in the world more authentically. So build your inner H.E.R.O. and combat your inner V.I.L.L.A.I.N.