Matthew McConaughey, author of Greenlights

WHAT I LEARNED ON MY 40TH BIRTHDAY FROM ‘GREENLIGHTS’ AUTHOR, MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY

Anthony Thompson
4 min readNov 6, 2020

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Stay in the race, commit to the chase. — Matthew McConaughey

Today is my 40th birthday. I’m not sure what else to say. You think when your birthday hits, all sorts of ideas and dreams will magically appear, but they don’t. Today, seems like any other. The weather in Southern California is perfect. Our home is peaceful, except for the bits of laughter, and shouting, courtesy of our youngest, Lior (age 3). 40 seems to be like any other day but is it?

I’m the achieving type. Which means, I’m looking for my fix of inspiration to help super charge this birthday. Today, I searched for this interview from Lewis Howes and Matthew McConaughey. I was intrigued that Lewis would interview Matthew. I also had a hunch, it was going to be good. How can it not when I can hear the McConaughey voice in my head from the film Dazed & Confused, and Wolf of Wall Street.

If I could leave you with anything from the interview, it would be the quote I mentioned above. When Lewis asked Matthew his definition of ‘greatness,’ this is the response Matthew gave.

Stay in the race, commit to the chase. — Matthew McConaughey

What Matthew touches on here is the idea of being happy about chasing something you may never achieve. He mentions several times in the interview of wanting to be ‘significant.’ Matthew, like myself is an achiever. He is looking for the next challenge and mountain to climb. Everything is about achieving. But, as you all are aware, achieving requires setbacks. There is no forward motion without friction.

So, when Matthew says, “stay in the race,” I get that.

At the ripe age of 40, I can reflect on so many great moments of my life, but I also review so many dreadful days and failures. This is where the magic lies. It’s secret potion is buried between them both. Can you learn to exchange the wins and losses for life lessons? If you can, your secret potion will be unlocked for not just you, but to share.

I’m also learning about “committing to the chase.” When I first heard this quote, being the spiritual person I am, I immediately went to a few Bible passage. And for me, I love these type of correlations. They actually really encourage me about the relevance of the Bible today.

‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: ‘ 2 Timothy 4:7

‘But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.’ Isaiah 40:31

‘And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ‘ Romans 5:3–4

The Bible is one of those things which is written on my heart. If it was Matthew talking, he’d call them ‘my values.’ This is not only how I was raised, but also my spiritual experience. And this bit, the bit about values, is something we all need to investigate further.

What are the values of your life?

What questions are you asking yourself each day?

How are you challenging your mind, your heart and your physical body?

What inspires you and how can you replicate THAT each day?

Most of us, may never experience what it’s like for someone to ask us deep, meaningful questions. Maybe you’re not famous, and that’s ok. I reckon, it’s up to us to crack the code of ourselves. If you’ve been following some of my latest learnings, you’ll notice I’m investing more and more into coaching. I’m investing in this area, because I want, and need, to continually ‘commit to the chase.’

When it comes to what you value, this collection of thoughts from Matthew really stands out. Have a read and let it sink in for you.

“I was always intrigued by being the head investigator and head interrogator on who I am and what is life about? And what am I doing in it? And then that led to what are we doing in it? What is it all about? Where do we put value? What matters to us and when?”

As my clock turns over at 40, this is what I’m learning about more each day. Even now, as I type, the whisper in my head is, “Anthony, what do you value in life? What are you doing in it? What has brought you to this place and why?

If you’ve never thought about these questions, I hope you do. You owe it to yourself. Whatever has happened, has brought you here. In the words of one of my favorites, Eric Thomas, “you didn’t come this far, to only come this far.”

So, if you’re this far — why? What can you learn about your experiences? What are some successful moments, and can you reverse engineer them? What are some failures, you can reverse engineer, so you do not replicate?

I know I’ve laid on some heavy stuff. This one is packed with some soul searching and course creating. You owe it to you. You’re more valuable than you realize. You’re potential is full of magic. It’s going to take hard work and constant reminders to ‘stay in the race,’ but it’s worth it.

Always be learning. a.

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Anthony Thompson

I help high performing professionals unlock their potential and become the champion they were created to be.