In one of the greatest commencement speeches of all time, Matthew McConaughey shares his 13 life lessons for the graduates of the University of Houston. I’ve pulled quotes regarding each truth, and this list acts as a sort of quick guide for me, which you can freely enjoy as well.
Life Is Not Easy Or Fair
“Do not fall into the trap. The entitlement trap, of feeling like you’re a victim. You are not. Get over it and get on with it.”
“Unbelievable” Is The Stupidest Word In The Dictionary
Something you witnessed may be extraordinary, most excellent, or outstanding, but unbelievable should not describe anything you encounter in life. Give others and yourself more credit for what is accomplished, both positive and negative. Anything is possible, and you need to believe that!
Happiness Is Different Than Joy
“If happiness is what you’re after, then you are going to be let down frequently and be unhappy much of your time. Joy, though, is something else. It’s not a choice, not a response to some result, it is a constant. Joy is “the feeling we have from doing what we are fashioned to do,” no matter the outcome.”
Define Success For Yourself
“Life is not a popularity contest. Be brave, take the hill but first, answer the question, “What is my hill?” Stop trying to compete with your peers and impress your neighbors, just live for you. Success is different for everyone, and while some may aspire for wealth, you might not be after the big homes and fast cars. Chase after the success you have defined.
Process Of Elimination Is The First Step To Our Identity
“The first step that leads to our identity in life is usually NOT “I know who I am,” but rather “I know who I AM NOT.” Process of elimination.”
Don’t Leave Crumbs – And The Beauty Of Delayed Gratification
“So…let’s flip the script. Instead of creating outcomes that take FROM us, let’s create MORE outcomes that pay us BACK, fill us up, keep your fire lit, turn you ON, for the most amount of TIME in your future. These are the choices I speak of and this is the beauty of delayed gratification.”
Dissect Your Successes
Give thanks for things that are working in your life. While you can learn from your failures if approached correctly, it is important for us to give thanks for what we are succeeding at in life, and that gratitude reciprocates, creating more to be thankful for.
Make Voluntary Obligations
“An honest man’s pillow is his peace of mind, and when you lay down on the pillow at night, no matter who’s in our bed we ALL sleep alone. — These are your personal jiminy crickets. And there are not enough cops in the entire world to police them — It’s on YOU.”
From Can To Want
“Just because you CAN?… Nah… It’s not a good enough reason to do something. Even when it means having more, be discerning, choose it, because you WANT it, DO IT because you WANT to.”
A Roof Is A Man-made Thing
“It’s because we have created a fictitious ceiling, a roof, to our expectations of ourselves, a limit — where we think it’s all too good to be true. BUT IT ISN’T. AND IT’S NOT OUR RIGHT TO SAY OR BELIEVE IT IS.”
Turn the Page
“You ever get in a rut? Stuck on the merry-go-round of a bad habit? I have. You are going to make mistakes — own them, make amends, and move on. Guilt and regret kills many a man before their time. Turn the page, get off the ride. YOU are the author of the book of your life. Turn the page.”
Give Your Obstacles Credit
“Well, instead of denying these fears, declare them, say them out loud, admit them, give them the credit they deserve…. Find the courage to overcome them or see clearly that they are not really worth prevailing over.”
How Do We Know When We’ve Crossed the Truth?
“You see, I crossed a truth that morning. Did I find it? I don’t know, I think it found me. Why? Because I put myself in a place to be found. I put myself in a place to receive the truth.”
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