The Tim Ferriss Show
#577: Hugh Jackman on Best Decisions, Daily Routines, The 85% Rule, Favorite Exercises, Mind Training, and Much More (Repost)
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Hugh Jackman treated his acting career like a business, saying yes to every opportunity and focusing on building his brand.
- Hugh Jackman learned to trust his gut and follow his intuition, even if it meant going against his strategic plans.
- Hugh Jackman's strong work ethic and values are attributed to his parents, who instilled in him the importance of ethics, keeping his word, and appreciating others.
- Working with director Trevor Nunn was a turning point in Hugh Jackman's acting career, giving him the confidence and skills to pursue a global stage career.
Deep dives
Starting a business and saying yes to opportunities
In the early years of his acting career, Hugh Jackman made a commitment to treat his acting career like a business. He believed in saying yes to every opportunity that came his way, including taking on roles in musical theatre despite not considering himself a singer. Jackman saw the value in building his brand and working hard to establish himself as an actor.
Trusting his gut and following intuition
Throughout his career, Hugh Jackman has learned to trust his gut and follow his intuition. He recalls turning down a role in 'The Boy from Oz' because he had made a commitment to focus on acting instead of musical theatre. However, the decision haunted him, as he had a strong feeling that it would have been an amazing opportunity. This experience taught him the importance of listening to his gut and following his instincts, even if it meant going against his strategic plans.
The influence of his parents on his values
Hugh Jackman attributes his strong work ethic and values to his parents. His father instilled in him the importance of ethics and keeping his word, while his mother emphasized the importance of appreciating and seeing others. These lessons have shaped his approach to his career, relationships, and interactions with others.
The turning point with Trevor Nunn
Meeting and working with director Trevor Nunn had a significant impact on Hugh Jackman's acting career. Initially, Jackman sought an opportunity to audition for Nunn in order to meet him and gain insights into acting. However, Nunn ended up casting Jackman in 'Sunset Boulevard' and later in 'Oklahoma!'. Working with Nunn gave Jackman the confidence and skills to pursue a global stage career, and he credits this experience as a turning point in his acting journey.
Importance of Trusting Intuition
Trusting intuition is described as a vital aspect of life that needs to be cultivated. The speaker shares personal experiences and explains how they developed their relationship with intuition. Growing up in a religious household, the speaker prayed for guidance and clarity in decision-making, prioritizing being on the right path rather than the fear of failure. They believe there is an instinctual calling that goes beyond conscious strategizing for happiness and success. The speaker emphasizes the significance of honing intuition in making both significant life decisions and day-to-day choices.
Manifesting and Listening to Intuition
The speaker discusses their approach to manifestation and listening to intuitive messages. They recount an example from the film 'The Greatest Showman,' where their life coach urged them to make a choice to fully commit and believe in the project. By manifesting and imagining the success of the film, they were able to overcome uncertainty and embrace the project wholeheartedly. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not insuring oneself against failure and committing fully to pursuits. They address the benefits of accountability and the daily practice of envisioning desired outcomes.
The Benefits of Puzzles and Games
The speaker shares their passion for puzzles and games and recommends starting with a 1000-piece puzzle. They suggest choosing images that evoke positive memories or places visited to deepen the appreciation for the details during assembly. The speaker highlights the meditative quality of puzzles, which allows the mind to relax and focus. They express how puzzles bring a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, improve mindfulness, and foster a greater appreciation for the world when venturing outside.
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Hugh Jackman (@TheHughJackman) is an Academy Award®-nominated, Golden Globe- and Tony Award-winning performer, who has made an impression on audiences of all ages with his multi-hyphenate career persona, as successful onstage in front of live crowds as he is on film.
I’ve wanted to have Hugh on the show for nearly a decade, and—even with my sky-high hopes—he absolutely over-delivered. In our conversation, we dig into lessons learned, routines, favorite books, exercises, intuition, meditation, and much, much more. Hugh was very gracious with his time, and this is one of the longest interviews he has ever done.
Trust me—Hugh delivers the goods, and we had a blast. Enjoy!
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This episode originally aired in 2020. You can find the show notes here: https://tim.blog/2020/06/26/hugh-jackman/
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Hugh and his wife have a tradition of reading books — sometimes to each other — every morning. From whom did this idea originate? [07:25]
What books has Hugh gifted most? [11:44]
What does Hugh’s regular meditation practice look like, and what benefits does he enjoy from it? [15:22]
How does Hugh summon and maintain the emotional and physical energy necessary for performing — particularly when he has to give his all multiple times per week on stage in front of a live audience? [19:42]
As someone who’s performed across countless stage and screen productions, why was Hugh nervous about coming on this podcast? [27:34]
What lessons did Hugh’s father teach him about being an example to others by way of action, making decisions, and always keeping his word? [29:41]
To what does Hugh owe his eloquent (or, as his wife might say, “too verbose”) communication skills? [39:16]
Hugh’s relationship with journalism, journalists, and a newfound love for the work of Ken Burns. [44:13]
Hugh talks about the contract he made with himself at the end of drama school about pursuing acting — and being wary of the word “career” in relation to that pursuit. [46:28]
Some of the best decisions Hugh made in the first years of being an aspiring/working actor. [51:26]
Why does Hugh think he was extended the kindness of auditioning for Sir Trevor Nunn — one of his idols — even though he had no intention of accepting a part in the musical he was directing? [57:02]
How has Hugh learned to trust his intuition — even when it leads him in unexpected directions? [58:52]
Can Hugh recall any times when the purpose of a nudge from intuition wasn’t easily fathomed — when the dots didn’t connect in an obvious way, but paid off in a big way when it was heeded? [1:06:29]
Am I talking to Hugh Jackman, or Perfect Tommy? [1:10:57]
Hugh elaborates on one of his daily morning practices — the design of the day — pondering the efficacy of manifestation and how it played into a major career decision. [1:12:16]
Hugh puts discipline in perspective, talks about the importance of incorporating relaxation into physical activity (or possibly any activity) for best results, the types of exercises he’s found to be most effective, and a Viktor Frankl quotation that he finds especially inspiring. [1:18:33]
Hugh is a connoisseur of puzzles and games. So what does he recommend for someone who needs to unwind from taking themselves and their work too seriously? Furthermore, what is it about puzzles that keeps him occupied all night if he doesn’t remember to set an alarm for himself? [1:27:46]
Parting thoughts. [1:33:51]
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