If you have not read Matthew McConaughey’s book Greenlights, here you will find a summary of his life-changing philosophy.
McConaughey shares what he has learned in his 50 years of life experience through stories and insightful reflection.
Matthew McConaughey is known for his diverse acting career, but he is also gaining recognition for his thought-provoking and philosophical speeches.
From his Academy Award-winning performance in “Dallas Buyers Club” to his memorable role in “True Detective,” McConaughey has captivated audiences with his deep insights and wisdom.
We will embark on a philosophical journey through the wisdom of Matthew McConaughey, exploring his 10 goals for a fulfilled life and the profound philosophical messages hidden in his speeches and interviews. Get ready to be inspired and challenged as we dive into the mind of this talented actor and philosopher.
The philosophy of Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey’s philosophy encompasses a unique blend of mindfulness, gratitude, and self-discovery.
By embracing the present moment and finding gratitude in every situation, McConaughey encourages us to lead a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
He challenges us to question our beliefs and values, prompting us to explore our true selves and live authentically.
One of the central themes in McConaughey’s philosophy is the importance of chasing our dreams and staying committed to our passions.
He emphasizes the necessity of embracing failure as an opportunity for growth and learning.
McConaughey’s belief in the power of perseverance and resilience inspires us to never give up on our aspirations, even in the face of adversity.
We will discover new ways of thinking and being that can bring about positive transformation in our own lives.
Also, the way we interpret and see our experiences and the world gives meaning to our life.
1 – Catching Greenlights
The first life-changing philosophy tip is to look for and catch greenlights.
Greenlights are positive signals in our everyday life such as:
- support
- praise
- gifts
- approval
- money
- health
- success
- happiness
When things are going well and we are happy, we are on the right track, that is a greenlight.
Also, greenlights mean to move forward, to continue, and advance.
Catching greenlights is about:
- intent
- skill
- context
- consideration
- endurance
- anticipation
- resilience
- speed
- discipline
We can catch more greenlights by identifying where the red lights are in our life, and then change course to hit fewer of them.”
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY
Greenlights alternate with yellow and red lights.
We may be making good progress toward reaching a goal and all of a sudden, we are not making progress anymore or things stop abruptly.
Here are some examples of yellow and red lights:
- Things don’t work out as we hoped for
- We don’t get what we want
- Painful experiences
- We disappoint ourselves
- Things are more difficult than expected
- We get sick
- Roadblocks
- Our plan or project fails
- We think we could have done better
- We wish that something would not have happened in life
2 – Dealing with Obstacles and Failure
Stepping in shit is inevitable, so let’s either see it as good luck, or figure out how to do it less often.
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY
When things don’t go as planned, we are confronted with yellow or red lights.
Regardless of who we are or what we do, we will fail and have bad experiences in life.
In addition, when we look back at our worst experiences, they were the turning point for better things in our life.
Any challenge could be considered a red light.
Once we are confronted with a red light or obstacle, we may:
- persist, keep pushing forward
- pivot, try a different strategy
- concede, abandon the project
Yellow and red lights can turn into greenlight in retrospect when the biggest challenges turn into a blessing. This is the second life-changing philosophy tip.
Instead of thinking of yourself as a victim when something negative happens think that something good will come out of it.
The problems we face today eventually turn into blessings in the rearview mirror of life.
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY
3 – Journaling
Journaling and writing things down helps to better understand what is happening in our life. We can keep track of what worked well, what we struggled with, and what we hoped for.
The third tip in this life-changing philosophy is to write down your thoughts and feelings.
In addition, it helps to reflect on our everyday good and bad experiences.
Writing down stressful situations helps to feel more relaxed and calm.
Matthew also wrote his 10 goals in life when he was 23 years old and he achieved all of them at age 50.
You may also enjoy reading: 10 Freewriting Tips to Explore Your Mind and Thoughts.
I never wrote things down to remember; I always wrote things down so I could forget.
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY
“The idea of revisiting my life and musings was a daunting one; I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy the company. Recently, I worked up the courage to sit down with those diaries and have a look at the thirty-five years of writing about who I’ve been over the last fifty.”
4 – Forgiving Yourself
The fourth tip of McConaughey’s life-changing philosophy is to learn how to forgive ourselves because sooner or later “we realize that we are stuck with the one person we can never be rid of: ourselves.”
When we make a mistake, we either forgive ourselves or get sick and tired of it.
Even if it feels painful and uncomfortable, forgiving yourself will allow you to turn red lights into greenlights.
We all make mistakes. Matthew shares that his mother quickly forgives herself and carries zero stress.
When he asked her if she ever went to bed with any regrets, she responded “every night” I just forget them by the time I wake up.
5 – Staying Humble
The fifth tip in Matthew’s life-changing philosophy is to stay humble by listening to others, stay in the present, and be true to your core values.
There is always something we can learn from others.
In addition, being grateful for everything we have in our life will remind us to appreciate all the positive experiences and blessings.
The sooner we become less impressed with our life, our accomplishments, our career, our relationships, the prospects in front of us—the sooner we become less impressed and more involved with these things—the sooner we get better at them.
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY
In conclusion, focus on your values when you ask yourself the question, “What is success to me?” Your answer will change over time.
Prioritize who you are, who you want to be, and don’t spend time with anything that antagonizes your character.
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY
If you liked Matthew’s life-changing philosophy, you may enjoy reading the book:
