How well do you bounce back from a set-back? If you’re struggling right now, (you guessed it) you can use archetypes to help you get back on track.

If you want to find meaning in your challenges and be more conscious about how to overcome them, then you can do it more efficiently and effectively when you consult archetypes. Each archetype represent a challenge. As such, each one contains a unique set of skills, knowledge, experience and therefore wisdom, that you can tap into when you need to bounce back from a set-back.

To bounce back with the support of an archetype, you’re going to become your own alchemist. You can experiment by doing the following:

Choose an archetype. Identify an archetype from the list that represents your challenge.

Deconstruct your archetype. Brainstorm its negative and positive elements in equal proportions. List 6 of each. Side note: Listing 10 each us even better because you’ll have more to choose from later. Don’t overthink this part. You’re brainstorming it so nothing you list is silly or wrong.

Self-author* the archetype. Refer to both lists and choose your goal, strategy, talent, strength, weakness and your fear about your situation.

Let it mull. This is the hands off point of the process. Seriously. You’re going to allow the magic to take place. It’s time to be your own witness. Then…

Watch what happens…The magic will arrive in the form of an ah-ha moment or an epiphany. An epiphany will invigorate your energy. It will shift your mindset. It will inspire you. It will deliver a new insight or idea. It will signpost your way forward.

But. This type of magic usually takes time. That’s why you need to let it mull.

Waiting for an epiphany is not something you want to do because waiting adds dead weight to the process. Weighting slows, and can even block, the flow of your epiphany.

Then again, a reaction might be instant. Epiphanies tend to quicken when you experiment on a regular basis. You’ll have more epiphanies, more often, meaning they will arrive in less time.

So don’t wait. Be patient. Busy yourself by doing something else. Archetypes run on their own time. And, if you find that the archetype you’ve analysed is not accurate, then choose another to analyse. You can’t get this wrong. Remember, you’re conducting an experiment.

You can bounce back better from a set back when you trigger your own epiphany. Make your own magic. Simply choose an archetype, deconstruct it, self-author it, let it mull and watch what happens.

*Yes, I’ve borrowed the term from Jordan B Peterson and applied it to the process of consulting archetypes.