Key Moments
Hugh Jackman — His Best Decisions, Favorite Books, Daily Routines, The 85% Rule, & More
Tim FerrissKey Moments
Hugh Jackman discusses life wisdom, routines, books, intuition, and finding joy.
Key Insights
Prioritize shared morning routines like reading and meditation for couple's connection.
Follow your gut feeling and intuition, even when it doesn't make logical sense.
Embrace the '85% rule' in performance and work: don't push to 100% to optimize results.
Puzzles and games can serve as a form of meditation, offering relaxation and accomplishment.
Focus on actions over declarations to show your values and beliefs.
Daily intentionality and accountability, like writing past-tense goals, can change outcomes.
MORNING RITUALS AND SHARED MOMENTS
Hugh Jackman shares his morning routine, inspired by Patrick Stewart, which includes waking up early to read with his wife, Deb. This practice, along with a subsequent meditation session, is cherished as quality time that ensures connection before the day's demands. This front-loading of shared activities prevents them from being lost amidst daily life's busyness, strengthening their bond.
THE TRANSFORMATIONAL POWER OF BOOKS
Jackman highlights books that have profoundly impacted him, often gifting them to others. He mentions E.B. White's "Here Is New York" and David Foster Wallace's "This Is Water" for their brevity and insight. Richard Powers' novel "The Overstory" is described as transformative, shifting his perspective on nature and its significance by weaving human stories with the overarching narrative of trees.
MEDITATION AS A TOOL FOR CLARITY
With decades of meditation experience, Jackman employs Transcendental Meditation, using a mantra to quiet the 'monkey mind.' He likens its effect to cloudy water settling to clarity, bringing a sense of coming home to his true self. While no longer strictly adhering to twice-daily sessions, he meditates when he feels the need, reporting clearer intention and a finer energy afterward.
FINDING JOY AND PURPOSE IN PERFORMANCE
Jackman describes his stage performances as a source of profound pleasure, likening it to Eric Liddell's feeling of divine pleasure when running. He emphasizes not settling for a path that doesn't resonate. While acknowledging the need for self-care, like avoiding alcohol and late nights before shows, he believes a natural energy arises from doing what you love.
ETHICS, ACTIONS, AND PARENTAL GUIDANCE
Reflecting on his father's influence, Jackman emphasizes the importance of embodying one's values through actions rather than mere declarations. His father's advice, "Your religion should be in your actions," and the emphasis on education and keeping one's word shaped his ethical framework. His mother's lesson about everyone needing to feel appreciated also underscored the need for empathy and seeing others.
THE ROLE OF INTUITION AND THE '85% RULE'
Jackman stresses the vital importance of listening to one's gut feeling, even when it defies logical reasoning, citing personal examples where instinct led to profound experiences. He also discusses the '85% rule,' suggesting that optimal performance often comes not from pushing to the absolute limit, but from maintaining relaxation and form at a slightly lower intensity, a principle observed in elite athletes.
DAILY INTENTION AND MANIFESTATION
He practices a 'daily design,' writing in the past tense about his ideal day and then scoring his adherence to it. This practice, shared via text for accountability, has elevated his relationships and brought clarity. Jackman also shares his experience with manifestation, particularly regarding the film 'The Greatest Showman,' where shifting his intention from preparing for failure to absolute belief was crucial.
THE ART OF LIVING AND CONTINUAL GROWTH
Jackman views life as an art to be continually developed, akin to how an artist refines their craft. He advocates for seeking help and coaching, comparing it to how great athletes and musicians work with mentors. Whether through puzzles, meditation, or intentional goal-setting, he emphasizes consistent practice and self-awareness as keys to personal growth and living a meaningful life.
THE VALUE OF PUZZLES AND SERENDIPITY
Puzzles are a cherished, almost meditative, pastime for Jackman, offering focus and a sense of accomplishment. He recommends starting with simpler, colorful thousand-piece puzzles. Assembling puzzles of places he's visited enhances his appreciation for the world, turning a solitary activity into a form of mindful engagement that provides deep satisfaction and relaxation.
MAKING DECISIONS: LOGIC VERSUS INSTINCT
Jackman's journey into acting was marked by a pivotal moment where he chose his passion over a seemingly more practical path, guided by an internal calling. This experience solidified his trust in intuition, even when intellect offered conflicting advice. He learned that strategic planning can sometimes hinder potential, and that surrendering to a powerful inner feeling can lead to unexpected, transformative outcomes.
Mentioned in This Episode
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Hugh Jackman's Art of Living Cheat Sheet
Practical takeaways from this episode
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Common Questions
Hugh and his wife, Deb, wake up early, make coffee and tea, and then read a book aloud to each other for at least 30 minutes. This is followed by a cold shower (for Hugh) and then meditating together, making it their favorite quality time of the day.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
A VPN solution that Hugh Jackman uses personally for secure and encrypted internet data without slowing down speed, especially on public Wi-Fi. Praised for its privacy and ease of use.
A website mentioned by Tim Ferriss where Hugh Jackman discusses converting photographs into puzzles.
A puzzle company recommended by Hugh Jackman for its quality and 'click technology' that makes assembling satisfying. He suggests starting with a 1000-piece puzzle from them with some color.
The form of meditation Hugh Jackman was introduced to in drama school, involving a mantra to quiet the 'monkey mind'.
A Hindu tradition term meaning 'ego', which Hugh Jackman references as the part of the mind that creates excuses to avoid meditation.
A philosophy that Hugh Jackman learned about from Ryan Holiday, which he tries to apply in his life, particularly when facing career decisions.
The film series that marked a significant turning point in Hugh Jackman's career, after which things started "happening" for him.
A revered acting school and company in England that Hugh Jackman aspired to work for, feeling his studies would equip him to audition there.
The parent organization of No Kid Hungry, highly regarded by Hugh Jackman.
The university where Hugh Jackman initially studied communications, hoping to become a journalist before realizing his passion was acting.
A theatre company co-founded by Simon Lyndon, Hugh Jackman's drama school mate, which is still going after 25 years.
Interview source where a quote from Hugh Jackman regarding meditation discipline and the ego (ahankara) was published.
An organization run by Billy Shore, which Hugh Jackman praises as incredible. Its mission is to end childhood hunger.
Hugh Jackman's drama school friend and co-founder of the Terramax Rock Surfers theatre company.
The sprinter whose movement was studied by a coach, leading to the development of the '85% rule'—that maintaining relaxation and form at 85% effort can yield faster results than straining at 100%.
The tennis player mentioned by Hugh Jackman as an example of world-class performers who still have a full-time coach, illustrating the importance of continuous help and investment in one's craft.
A great actor known for playing Professor X in the X-Men series and Star Trek. Hugh Jackman adopted his morning reading habit from Patrick Stewart, who reads books to avoid anger from news or anxiety from emails/scripts.
A revered director and Hugh Jackman's hero from drama school, known for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Working with him in 'Sunset Boulevard' and 'Oklahoma!' gave Jackman the confidence to pursue a world stage career.
Author of the commencement speech 'This is Water', a book Hugh Jackman gifts and Tim Ferriss is familiar with.
A researcher cited by Hugh Jackman from whom he learned about the human need to be seen and appreciated, extending his mother's lesson on appreciation.
A documentary filmmaker whose work, including 'The Civil War' and 'Vietnam', Hugh Jackman watched during quarantine, highly recommending it after Tim Ferriss introduced him to it.
An Academy Award nominated, Golden Globe and Tony award-winning performer known for his multi-hyphenate career on stage and film. The main subject of the podcast episode, discussing his routines, philosophy, and career.
Hugh Jackman's wife, with whom he shares daily rituals like reading aloud and meditating. She is described as acting purely from instinct and heart, particularly in showing appreciation and helping those in need.
The religious runner from 'Chariots of Fire' who inspired Hugh Jackman with the quote, 'I feel his pleasure when I run', relating to finding natural energy and joy in one's chosen path.
His death is mentioned as a contextual timestamp, noting that the interview was recorded before this event took place.
Hugh Jackman's life coach for four years, found through Dr. Mark Hyman, who has helped him understand his purpose, manage priorities, and overcome self-sabotage, significantly changing his life and approach to projects like 'The Greatest Showman'.
An author whose books were recommended on Tim Ferriss's podcast, leading to Hugh Jackman gifting them and signing up for one of his marketing workshops.
A mythologist mentioned by Hugh Jackman, relating to the concept of 'follow your bliss' as a calling beyond conscious strategizing.
Director of 'The Greatest Showman', who Hugh Jackman had high regard for due to his unwavering belief and manifestation that the film would be a legacy project, despite it being his first film.
Hugh Jackman's trainer, a powerlifter and dancer, who helps him prepare for roles like Wolverine by focusing on avoiding injury and optimizing movement through methods like the 85% rule.
A friend of Hugh Jackman known as 'Saint Billy' who runs No Kid Hungry/Share Our Strength. He introduced Jackman to the practice of gifting short, impactful books rather than long ones.
The evangelist who converted Hugh Jackman's father to born-again Christianity, which later led to different paths in his parents' marriage.
Author of 'The Second Mountain', a book Hugh Jackman and his wife are currently reading aloud together in the mornings.
Former Senator who gifted Hugh Jackman 'The Overstory' by Richard Powers.
Author of 'The Overstory', a Pulitzer-winning fiction book that profoundly changed Hugh Jackman's perspective on nature.
An author whose books were recommended on Tim Ferriss's podcast, leading to Hugh Jackman gifting them.
Author of 'Here is New York', a short, impactful book that Hugh Jackman regularly gifts.
Hugh Jackman's acting teacher who emphasized exposing oneself to various arts like ballet and classical music for inspiration, to feed the actor's energy.
Author recommended by Tim Ferriss, whose work on Stoicism Hugh Jackman appreciates.
A musical Hugh Jackman initially turned down due to strategic career planning but later realized was a mistake, leading him to always follow his gut instinct thereafter. He eventually performed in it on Broadway.
A show Hugh Jackman mentions doing, inviting Tim Ferriss to see him perform.
Hugh Jackman's favorite movie and the source of his favorite quote, 'I feel his pleasure when I run', which resonates with his feeling on stage.
A Ken Burns documentary that Hugh Jackman watched during quarantine, highly recommending it.
A film that Hugh Jackman was initially hesitant about, but through his coach Lauren Zander's intervention and his own daily design/manifestation practice, he fully committed to, leading to its success.
The character Hugh Jackman played, for which he had to undergo intense physical preparation, requiring him to focus on athleticism and injury prevention rather than pure bodybuilding.
A Ken Burns documentary that Hugh Jackman watched during quarantine, highly recommending it.
A book by David Brooks that Hugh Jackman and his wife are currently reading aloud together, often sparking deeper conversations.
Tim Ferriss's book from which Hugh Jackman learned about cold showers, incorporating them into his daily routine, especially for Wolverine preparation.
A short book by E.B. White about New York, written in 1949, which Hugh Jackman regularly gifts, noting its enduring spirit.
A novel by Richard Powers, gifted to Hugh Jackman by Gary Hart. Jackman describes it as the most transformative piece of fiction he has read, focusing on the interconnectedness of human stories and nature, specifically trees.
David Foster Wallace's commencement speech, which Hugh Jackman gifts, noting it as a 15-minute read.
A musical where Hugh Jackman played Gaston/The Beast, marking a major turning point in his career by pushing him to take singing lessons and become known in musical theatre.
A musical directed by Trevor Nunn that Hugh Jackman decided to audition for, despite a prior commitment to focus on acting, because of his desire to work with Nunn.
The subject of E.B. White's book, 'Here is New York', which Hugh Jackman describes as amazing to read an account from 1949 and see how much of its spirit resonates today.
A musical in London where Trevor Nunn cast Hugh Jackman after their collaboration on 'Sunset Boulevard', further building Jackman's confidence for the world stage.
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