There is only one story:
For better or worse, an event throws a character’s life out of balance, arousing in him the conscious and/or unconscious desire for that which he feels will restore balance, launching him on a Quest for his Object of Desire against forces of antagonism (inner, personal, extra-personal). He may or may not achieve it.
Story,  (1997) Robert McKee, p. 196, 197

I shared this quote with someone who is writing a story. I look at it often as I’m trying to organize my thoughts when I’m writing a screenplay. And it was still on my mind when I was preparing my blog tonight. That started me thinking.

Let’s start with a hero we all know: Luke Skywalker. He was an unhappy teenager at the beginning of Star Wars. He knew that his life was out of balance but he didn’t know how to gain that balance. Not only that, but his uncle presented an obstacle to him finding what he wanted.

His uncle happens to buy two droids which were being hunted by the Empire. Luke and the droids are away when the storm troopers attack his home, killing his uncle and aunt.

Luke’s life is now completely out of balance. Obi-Wan begins to guide him on the path to the Force. Luke’s battle is in three places simultaneously. It is inner: That is he must fight his own worst nature. It is personal: He has a hard time in his relationships with others. It is also extra-personal: The Empire needs to be defeated. In this story, the hero succeeds.

But the idea of one story even applies in each person’s life. Ultimately, we all have just one story.

For better or worse - It doesn’t much matter whether an event is good or bad, it will change things. If you get a promotion or get fired, your life will change.

An event throws a character’s life out of balance - Whatever that event was, you will have to spend time adapting to the changes. Your life no longer has the same balance that it used to.

Rousing in him the conscious and/or unconscious desire for that which he feels will restore balance - Sometimes we don’t even know that we’re out of balance. It’s just a gut feeling that something is wrong. Or we self-medicate with drugs or alcohol or overeating. Or we do know what it is we need and start an intentional and well thought out plan to achieve it.

Launching him on a Quest for his Object of Desire against forces of antagonism (inner, personal, extra-personal) - Whatever your particular quest is, you will meet with opposition. You will occassionally let yourself down. Other people will distract you or actually sabotage your efforts. Finally, circumstances may be against you. A random, uncaring world may not bend to meet your desires.

He may or may not achieve it. - That’s the hard part, isn’t it? Not knowing.

Anybody reading this is already part way through their own story. We have goals and dreams. We have limitations and strengths. We have obstacles and opportunities. Here’s my advice for you.
Understand that you are the hero of your own story. When you find yourself in a difficult situation, invent a great way to get out. When the world is against you, be the hero that perseveres. When (not if) you fail, learn and grow stronger. Realize that you can survive and even thrive in the face of adversity. At the end of the day, if you haven’t fulfilled your life goals, leave behind an example of how a hero lives. Always give yourself the opportunity to succeed by not quitting

Above all, make it so much of an adventure that you’d do it all again if you could.