Earlier this year I had a thought that really captured me and caused me to ponder.
Hugh Jackman has to work his tail off if he wants to be Wolverine.
I realize that statement is probably obvious to most people. But I started thinking of Hugh the celebrity. He’s a very successful actor who probably has a ton of money. Millions upon millions. He can eat whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Here in Dallas, we have a restaurant called III Forks (Three Forks). It’s extremely nice and very expensive. I’ve been four times in my whole life and it’s one of my absolute favorite restaurants. I actually order lobster there. Anyway, I started thinking about Hugh and how he could eat at III Forks for every meal of every day while ordering the most expensive steak or lobster on the menu, and it would never really make a dent in his net worth.
Then it hit me.
Hugh Jackman can sit back and eat whatever he wants, but not if he wants to be Wolverine.
If he wants to be Wolverine, he needs to hit the gym at 4am so he can make his regular 6am film starts. He needs to push himself further than most of us would ever go in a workout. He then needs to eat six meals a day, but not “normal” meals. They need to be very strategic meals that exclude processed food. He needs to cut out sweets, fried foods, and dine mainly on vegetables, chicken, and water.
And this is exactly what he does to become Wolverine. Fancy meals are replaced with strict diets. Enjoying a leisurely day by the pool is replaced by a disciplined workout regime that lasts on and off all day. If he refused to do these things, he’d be fine — the studio would just find someone else to play the part of Wolverine.
Hugh Jackman’s wealth means that he has a lot of freedom to choose: diet or binge, exercise or relax, work or play. But in light of what he wants to accomplish — the roles he wants to play — Jackman chooses the rigorous path.
If Hugh must do these things to accomplish what he wants, what must you do to accomplish what you want? Is it possible that you’re not living your purpose because you refuse to do the work required?
Rob Thomas is the founder and president of RT Creative Group, which includes both Igniter Media and Echo Hub. Follow him on Twitter: @robwthomas