The Hero We Chase: Living a Life of Purpose Through Self-Improvement

Who is your hero? Is it a fictional character who displays virtues you admire? A historical icon who stood for justice? For Matthew McConaughey, as he shared in his 2014 Best Actor acceptance speech, his hero has always been an idealized version of his future self. “When I was 15, I was asked ‘Who’s your hero?’ I didn’t know so I took some time to think about it. When I came back with my answer, I said ‘My hero is me in 10 years.’”

This statement reveals an important mindset for leaders and those seeking to better themselves. Rather than looking externally to others for an example to emulate, McConaughey found inspiration by envisioning the person he could become. The “me in 10 years” represents the potential within himself that was not yet actualized. It gave him a vision to strive for, one that is ever on the horizon beckoning him onwards and upwards.

Ten years later, someone asked McConaughey if he had achieved his vision and become his hero. His revealing response: “Not even close! My hero is now me at 35 because I’m still chasing that best version of myself.” The actor-turned-philosopher concluded his speech noting that he’ll never fully attain that ideal and that gives him someone to continually chase after and reach for.

There are several leadership lessons we can draw from McConaughey’s Oscar revelations. First is the power of self-definition and personal vision. Many people move through life reacting and adapting to situations and circumstances that come their way. They let outside forces and other’s expectations shape who they become. McConaughey found agency and purpose in envisioning a future hero-self worth growing into. That vision gave direction and meaning to his personal growth.

As leaders, if we don’t define who we wish to be, we surrender that power to external forces. Knowing our highest values and potentials allows us to live and lead in alignment with an inner compass. Rather than drifting, we move with purpose toward a chosen vision for our lives. This requires the self-awareness to identify our unique gifts, values and highest potentials. McConaughey’s “hero-vision” gave him clarity in the midst of life’s turbulence.

Secondly, in claiming “me in 10 years” as his ever-shifting hero, the actor reveals a growth mindset versus fixed mindset. A growth mindset believes talents and abilities can be developed incrementally through effort. As such, the current self is always capable of positive change. In contrast, a fixed mindset assumes personality traits are innate and therefore static. McConaughey clearly sees his best self not as some pre-formed identity but an ongoing work in progress. This meant every year of his life held potential for getting ever closer to his ideal. This growth mindset is essential for leaders. Believing our capabilities are fixed limits potential. But holding every moment and experience as an opportunity to sculpt oneself into a better leader unleashes continual betterment.

Finally, McConaughey’s chosen hero represents an attitude of lifelong learning. Even after winning Hollywood’s highest honor for his acting, he still sees a future self worth striving for. He has retained a beginner’s mindset, one open to improvement and seeing every juncture, no matter how elevated, as a launching pad higher. The best leaders stay hungry. They don’t get comfortable or complacent in who they are but keep alive the vision of who they can become. Leadership, like virtually any skill, takes a lifetime of honing. The day we stop chasing to get better is the day our influence stalls. Great leaders are shaped by the vision that pulls them forward, not drive they demonstrate in the past.

By turning our gaze inward to find a future hero calling us onward and upward, we gain inspiration and power to manifest our highest potentials. Of course, the actual work falls on us. Envisioning “me in 10 years” doesn’t automatically transport us there. But it lights a path through life’s complex terrain. And holding ourselves to account for becoming that hero-self creates the self-direction and motivation needed to get there. As McConaughey said upon realizing he hadn’t yet achieved his vision, “that’s just fine with me because that keeps me with somebody to keep on chasing.” The inspiration is on the horizon. The chase is inside us. Our lives are defined by what we pursue and what captures our imagination. What future hero guides your days?