As a kid my favourite superhero was (and still is) Batman.

There was something about the Batcave in particular that really stuck with me. The hidden, self-made, full of tools and secrets. A place to retreat to and be safe.

The idea of a Bolthole still interests me today.

This was in the Michael Keaton Batman Returns era of the early 1990’s. With Danny DeVito’s antagonist Penguin and Michel Pfeiffer’s deuteragonist Catwoman.

Around that time, when I was about 4 years old, my dad built a loft extension in our 2-bed house. A new set of wooden stairs rose from my bedroom into the attic which was to become my sisters’ bedroom. Underneath those stairs though was mine. It was my den. My very own Batcave. I even spent a few nights sleeping in there with a Batman themed night light.

It’s funny how framing works. Sleeping under the stairs was deemed a punishment in the Harry Potter series. But from what I can remember it was anything but. (I suppose the difference between the two is autonomy.)

Framing is the Topic of this week’s newsletter.

Seeing our life journey so far with a fresh perspective can allow us to draw out patterns and meaning from past events. If we do this with the intention of finding the meaning of becoming a self-builder, we can define our Why.

We can do this by using the first part of the Hero’s Journey framework to create our own Origin Story.

What Is The Hero’s Journey?

The Hero’s Journey is a storytelling framework that describes the typical path a hero takes in myths, books, films, and real life.

It was first outlined by Joseph Campbell, an American scholar who studied myths across cultures. He noticed that whether it was ancient Greek legends or modern-day movies, many stories followed the same pattern.

Later, writer Christopher Vogler adapted Campbell’s work into a version widely used in screenwriting and personal development.

This post is to help you find your Why for becoming a self-builder. Only the first part of the Hero’s Journey framework is needed to help define that, however seeing the other stages also helps to see where it can fit into the larger picture.

In simple terms, the Hero’s Journey has three main acts:

1. Departure (Leaving the known world) – the self-builders Origin Story

• The Ordinary World: Your status quo. This might be renting, living in a cramped house, or feeling disconnected from your surroundings.
• The Call to Adventure: Something triggers the idea of self-build. Maybe you see a Grand Designs episode or realise the current housing market won’t give you what you want.
• Refusal of the Call: The doubts creep in. “It’s too hard.” “I’m not the kind of person who does this.” This is the emotional tension in your origin story.
• Meeting the Mentor: someone or something shows you it’s possible. A book, a podcast, a family member, a Facebook group, or perhaps the Measure Twice, Build Once Newsletter 😉!
• Crossing the Threshold: This is the true turning point or Decision Point. You start the research, tell your partner “I think we should actually do this”, attend a workshop, or sign-up to a course.

It covers the moment when you are still in the familiar world, but begin to sense you can’t stay there forever.

2. Initiation (Facing trials and growth) – The Test

• Tests, Allies, and Enemies: You’re in it now. Maybe you’ve started pre-planning, bought a plot, or designed a layout. You’re learning who supports you and who questions your sanity. You face delays. Planners push back. Builders quote over budget.
• Approach to the Inmost Cave: You’re preparing for a big challenge, something that feels like a point of no return. A final design decision. A massive financial commitment. Submitting full plans or applying for a mortgage.

• The Ordeal: The darkest moment. The hardest day. Everything seems to go wrong. The build halts. The budget explodes. A relationship is strained. You question yourself.
• Reward: You survive. You grow. You start seeing the house take shape. You feel more confident in your decisions. You realise you’re no longer the person who started this. This is more than bricks, it’s proof of transformation.

3. Return (Coming back changed) – Becoming an Expert

• The Road Back: The main crisis is over, but you’re not done. You might face new decisions: Snagging lists, landscaping, finishing touches. You’re winding down, but still adapting.
• Resurrection: One final test, usually internal. You might ask: Was it worth it? Would I do it again? What did I learn about myself? You’ve changed. You’re more resilient. More self-assured. This is your full-circle moment.
• Return with the Elixir: You’ve earned something, and now you have something to give back. That could be: A home that reflects your values. Knowledge you share with others (perhaps with a case study or on the MTBO Community helping others). Confidence to tackle the next big thing.

So… what’s your origin story?

Not just the timeline of when you found a plot or applied for planning, but the emotional moment where something shifted.

Where your ordinary world no longer fit. Where the idea of creating your own home became more than a fantasy.

That’s where your Why lives. And it’s worth writing down.

Because when things get difficult (and they will), you’ll need something deeper than logic to keep going. You’ll need meaning. You’ll need a reason you believe in.

Plus, when you face difficulty, you can ask yourself “what would my superhero do?”.

– Brendan
​Measure Twice, Build Once

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