“Schedule that time to be in a place to receive the truth.”
Matthew McConaughey
In May of 2015, Matthew McConaughey gave the commencement speech at the University of Houston in Texas. In the spirit of sharing commencement speeches of yesteryear (since in real life we had to skip them this year), I believe this is one that’s worth sharing.
I am not alone in that assessment. So instead of rehashing the finer points of McConoughey’s speech, I will share what others have observed.
Time Magazine
Speech
Time Magazine reprinted McConoughey’s speech in its May 17, 2015 issue. It’s worth the read. I pulled a few quotes that I found to be inspirational…although I encourage you to read the speech for yourself.
Matthew McConaughey to Grads: Always Play Like an Underdog
“The sooner we become LESS IMPRESSED — with our life, our accomplishments, our career, the prospect in front of us. As soon as we become LESS IMPRESSED — and MORE INVOLVED with these things, the sooner we get a whole lot better at doing them.”
Matthew McConaughey
The full script has 13 points McConaughey believes to be truths that he has learned.
- Life is not easy…
- “Unbelievable” is the stupidest word in the dictionary
- Happiness is different than Joy
- Define Success for Yourself
- Process of elimination is the first step to our identity (a.k.a where you are NOT is as important as where you are)
- DON’T LEAVE CRUMBS — and the beauty of delayed gratification
- DISSECT YOUR SUCCESSES (and the reciprocity of gratitude)
- MAKE VOLUNTARY OBLIGATIONS
- From can to want
- A roof is a manmade thing
- Turn the page
- Give your obstacles credit
- So how do we know when we cross the truth?
“How do I define success? For me, it’s a measurement of five things — fatherhood, being a good husband, health, career, friendships. These are what’s important to me in my life.
So, I try to measure these five each day, check in with them, see whether or not I’m in the debit or the credit section with each one. Am I in the red or in the black with each of them?”
Matthew McConaughey
Medium
Post
Medium is my go-to place for learning. Often, I find the articles inspirational. There’s something for everyone. Interest areas range from the general audiences to specifics like their Post-Grad Survival Guide.
In December of 2019, Niklas Göke got inspired to write a post on Medium. Again, an excellent read.
Matthew McConaughey’s 5 Rules for a Good Future “Make the choices today that pay you back tomorrow.”
Göke summarizes the top five rules to follow and build the life we love for ourselves.
- Accept that life’s not fair.
- Never consider anything to be impossible.
- Find joy in what you do instead of chasing happiness.
- Create your own definition of success.
- Make decisions that’ll give back to you tomorrow.
“Make decisions that’ll give back to you tomorrow.” That statement blows me away with its honesty of what we are going through. I believe that to be the most important rule we need to follow if we want to change our lives.
I’m in the process of changing my life. I’m addicted to sugar. That inspirational statement will be in a place of honor to get me through these withdrawal moments.
Johnny Bigger
Video
I originally came across McConaughey’s commencement address through Johnny Bigger’s inspirational YouTube channel. In November of 2018, Johnny Bigger compiled video clips from McConaughey’s movies and then set them to audio from parts of McConaughey’s speech.
5 Rules for the rest of your life | Matthew McConaughey
Bigger highlighted these top five rules from McConaughey’s speech. Excellent video in its message and entertaining value to see all the different stages of McConaughey’s movie career. Again, I highly recommend you watch.
- Life is not easy
- “Unbelievable” is the stupidest word in the dictionary
- Happiness is different than joy
- Define success for yourself
- “Don’t leave crumbs” — and the beauty of delayed gratification
Congratulations Graduates!
Because you only have control over yourself, do the best you can. Make your world a good, honest world for you and those around you to enjoy. That’s the best any of us can do.
“Make decisions that’ll give back to you tomorrow.”
Mathew McConaughey and highlighted by Niklas Göke
Enjoy, Jan
