A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects . -- Robert A. Heinlein I keep looking for a list of heroic skills, and the ones I find online just aren't all that helpful. They're too limited and/or too biased. So I'm going to explore some skills that contribute to saving the day. The more of these you acquire, the better equipped you'll be when things go wrong. Understand that heroism isn't about superpowers or even the kind of first responder jobs that save the day every day. It's about heroic imagination . It is about noticing something is wrong, caring enough to do something about it, and having the resources to address it. Heroes bring out the best in themselves and in other people. These are things that anyone can do, each individual based on their unique set of knowledge and abilities. So the first thing you need to consider is... What kind of hero are you? This is an essential first step, because different types of heroes need different skills, supplies, and other resources. Prepare for the kinds of adventure you hope to have . Ask yourself the right questions. What does a hero look like ? It's not always what you expect. What makes a hero ? They tend to share certain traits . You can cultivate your heroic virtues . Just pick one and work on it for a while, like a week or a month, then move on to another. Who do you want to be a hero to ? Think about worthy causes and who or what you want to save . Choosing a cause helps you focus your efforts . Here are some ways to help and encourage others to help . Fandom Wiki lists dozens of heroic types, with a thumbnail description of each category and sample characters who fit it. Here are some conversation starter questions about heroes and heroism . This Types of Heroes worksheet can help you learn how to identify heroes and what makes them heroic. Heroes by Personality Type is based on the Myers Briggs assessment . If this tool fits you, then you may find it helpful to explore how it relates to heroism. All genders can be heroic. Heras are female heroes . Herix is a heroic term of nonbinary or unspecified gender. Consider why we need heroes . Their examples teach moral excellence and uphold cultural values . These needs and examples can inspire your choices as you build skills and seek opportunities to make the world a better place. What is your life purpose ? It's where different needs and aptitudes overlap in an area of maximum benefit . What can you do that others can't ? Find out your life purpose by asking deep questions . This worksheet on the My Hero Project and My Legacy Project invites you to think about how you define heroism and what accomplishments you want to leave behind. To become a hero, focus on improving yourself and becoming your best self . There are general thoughts on how to become a hero and 10 Ways You Can Become a Hero . A few places offer heroism training on heroic imagination . This article asks whether you can choose to be a hero or it just happens to you , coming down on the latter argument. Of course you can choose: all it takes is picking the right job or volunteer opportunity, as mentioned below, that routinely entails heroic actions. Some jobs involve everyday heroism. They left off tow truck driver, though. Pretty much everyone who sees those blinking lights approaching feels like they've been saved. Volunteers can be heroes too . There are apps that promote heroics skills, knowledge, and actions: * Be a Hero, Save a Hero (for emergency preparedness) * CPR Apps (for cardiac emergencies, alerts, and instructions) * Earth Hero (for fighting climate change) * Emergency and Disaster Apps (for alerts and other information) * First Aid and Survival Apps (for a wide range of knowledge, skills, & situations) * Heroes Nearby (for giving and receiving help, intentional neighboring) * Hero's Journey (for studying archetypes and stories) Here are some real-life heroes who saved the world, with or without superpowers. In asking what makes a hero, this study found that about 20% of people qualify as heroes . It also reveals variations, like the fact that black people are eight times as likely as white people to qualify, probably due to increased opportunities. In case you're curious, I'm eclectic and have a wide range of resources, so I can take a variety of roles. But as a Bard, I am first and foremost an information dispensary. So my archetype is the Wise Guide: I help heroes prepare for their quest, answer questions, solve puzzles, and so on. Here's an observation that applies to all fields: If you're not making any mistakes, you're not learning, you're coasting. The most important part is to be prepared . Practice skills in advance. Stock necessary supplies and equipment. Think about how you would respond if something went wrong. Because you never know when you might need it .