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Matthew McConaughey made his breakthrough appearance into the film industry in the early 1990s with his appearance in Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused. Having started out from humble beginnings, his first small-time gigs were in television commercials, until he was cast as the boyfriend in Trisha Yearwood's 1992 music video, Walkaway Joe, which she collaborated with Don Henley. McConaughey's handsome good looks, charm, and Southern hospitality have allowed him to play the leading role as a romantic character, and in many ways has been seen as a sex symbol in Hollywood. Apart from his looks, McConaughey has a set of rules he lives by to ensure and maintain success. Let's find out some more!

Be Creative

Creativity is among the most important gift an actor or any form of artistic person can possess. His complex character and artistic genius are evident in the vast number of genres the Texas native has nurtured over the years. From romance and fantasy to drama, apocalyptic, and post-apocalyptic fiction. One of his most recognized romance films, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days starring Kate Hudson, and The Dark Tower, starring alongside Idris Elba, shows the stark contrast he can display and the creativity amidst emotional intelligence he possesses. He has scooped up numerous Academy Awards for his movie performances and has been recognized as one of the most accomplished actors of his generation.

Don't Flinch

Another principle the Fool's Gold actor lives by for success is to avoid flinching. And by flinching, he means having a moment of indecision. He likens flinching on stage to flinching in life and explains, "Where actors get another chance to get it right...in life, you face the consequences of 'flinching' at the wrong moment." This may also be summed up as being responsive rather than being reactive and being decisive. McConaughey may know a thing or two about flinching because if he had 'flinched' when it came to his decision to launch an acting career, he may have ended up as an unfulfilled lawyer that the world would have never seen on screen.

Be The Best And Do Your Best

As with any other pursuit of passion or purpose in life, you should be 100 percent convinced that it is the right decision for you. There are many celebrities and actors who, for one reason or another, have left the Hollywood industry entirely. But McConaughey believes in being the best you can be while doing the thing you love most. It is for this possible reason that he has worked with some of the best in business, such as Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Jared Leto, and Leonardo DiCaprio, to name a few.

Seize The Opportunities

Opportunities that are life-changing don't cross our paths every day. That's why The Wolf of Wall Street actor ensures to make the most of every golden door of opportunity he encounters. This attitude paid off tremendously, landing him his first break in Dazed And Confused after mustering up the courage to approach casting director Don Philips at a hotel bar early on in his career. Taking the initiative to approach the director led him to share the screen with many future stars who were at the genesis of their acting career, such as Ben Affleck, Cole Hauser, Joey Lauren Adams, and Parker Posey.

Leave Your Comfort Zone

Comfort kills. As reported by Time Magazine at a 2015 University of Houston Graduation, Matthew McConoughey addressed the graduates with some difficult but truly needful words of wisdom that he applies to his own recipe for success. He encourages them to leave their comfort zones and reminds the students that life is not easy. He declared, "NUMBER 1, LIFE'S NOT EASY...don't try to make it that way... And yes, most things are more rewarding when you break a sweat to get 'em." Perhaps this is why the actor is able to be so versatile, being able to switch between accents and personalities for different movies. It's safe to say that he embraces obstacles and uses them as a method to stretch and grow in comfortable and uncomfortable situations.

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Create Your Own Weather

Another method employed by the Interstellar star is known as creating your own weather. What this term simply means is the ability to create your own environment no matter where you go. This is also in line with being true to yourself, detaching from the normalities of life around you in order to create something entirely new and unique. No pioneer or inventor has ever created anything exceptional by staying in line with what the rest of the world deems 'normal'. Creating your own environment is akin to leaving your comfort zone; the two actually complement each other. This can be seen in iconic films like A Time To Kill and Magic Mike, which both grossed over $100 million.

Do Your Due Diligence

One of the most remarkable traits of Matthew McConaughey as an actor is the depth and expression he put into actually becoming one with his character. For example, his dark and dangerous character in the 2011 film, Killer Joe, starring Emile Hirsch and Gina Gershon, saw the actor morph into a cool, calculated, ruthless detective with a side hustle as a hitman. The film was so successful that it won The Best Independent Film Saturn Awards, while McConaughey won the Best Actor Saturn Awards. His ability to intently study the role he has been given and adjust to such a degree is what 'doing your due diligence' is all about.

Have Fun Working

There is a saying in a boxer that a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter. The same can be said in acting, that a happy actor is an exceptional one. His enjoyment in every film, even if it's horror and full of violence, still permeates clearly. The charm, excitement, and energy that he brings to a movie can almost be felt. From The Wedding Planner (2001) to Surfer Dude (2008), he seems to be an actor who has fun throughout the entire process. In that way, he is similar to Leonardo DiCaprio, who also gives himself wholeheartedly to any project he embarks on.

Go All The Way

When it comes to dedicating oneself to a project, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre star knows full well how to commit. According to Showbiz CheatSheet, Matthew McConoughey's 2013 performance in Dallas Buyers Club took 138 tries before finally being filmed. In a story of relentless grit and determination, he shares that it took 137 rejections and a stretch of 20 years being in production until the movie was finally directed and produced. Despite the numerous rejections and lack of finances, McCoughaney refused to let the spark die, and as a result of his tenacity, he won his first Oscar Award in 2013.

Enjoy The Process

The last principle Matthew McConoughey lives by is most likely the least favorite for some, but it's to enjoy the process. Most people focus on the outcome of a project or desired goal in order to feel fulfilled and accomplished. However, McConoughey appreciates the journey on the way to the destination, believing that you can find a great deal of enjoyment in your personal life and work when you simply enjoy the process. He is even known to be smiling even when his role is of a more serious nature. He takes pride in what he does, and it is easy to see by the end result of his movies.

READ NEXT: The 10 Highest-Grossing Matthew McConaughey Movies Of All Time

Sources: Showbiz CheatCheet, Casting Frontier, TIME