07 Oct 468: Keep Showing Up: Creativity, Risk, Rejection & Building a Life You Actually Want – An interview with Actor, Author & Podcaster Alex Matthews
Alex Matthews is BACK!
And yes… if that last name sounds familiar… it should.
Alex is my son!
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been SIX YEARS since Alex was last on DREAM THINK DO.
A lot has happened since then.
He graduated from acting school. He moved to Los Angeles. He’s lived in six different apartments. He’s worked as a dog trainer and dog walker. He’s acted in student films, vertical dramas, independent movies and now… major productions with some big name actors (we can’t talk about all of them… yet)!
Oh… and along the way he’s written THREE novels AND launched his own podcast.
So yeah… we had some things to talk about.
But this conversation isn’t just about acting… writing… or chasing a Hollywood dream.
It’s really about something ALL of us face when we’re going after something that matters.
How do you keep showing up when you can’t control the outcome?
How do you keep creating when rejection is part of the process?
How do you put something into the world before you know whether people will like it?
And maybe most importantly… how do you build a meaningful life while you’re pursuing the dream… instead of waiting to enjoy your life until you finally “arrive?”
That’s where this conversation gets REALLY good.
Whether you’re considering a new chapter… working on a book… building something on the side… stepping into a new career… or simply feeling that nudge to do something you’ve been putting off… I think you’re going to find a LOT here.
Plus… since this is a father-son conversation… there’s plenty of laughing, storytelling and a few moments that got surprisingly emotional.
Let’s get to it!
FOR THE DREAM THINK DOER WHO’S WONDERING “WHAT’S NEXT?”
One of the things I love about this conversation is that Alex’s acting journey is a really vivid example of something many of us experience.
You might not be auditioning for a television show…
BUT maybe there’s something you’ve been thinking about creating.
Maybe people have been telling you for YEARS that you should write that book… mentor people… coach… speak… teach… or finally share some of what you’ve learned.
And maybe part of you is thinking:
“Could I REALLY do that?”
You don’t have to blow up the life you’ve already built in order to explore what’s next.
Sometimes it starts with small steps of faith that add up.
That’s exactly why we created Authority Bridge.
It’s for accomplished leaders who have real experience and hard-won wisdom… and are wondering whether it might be time to turn some of that into greater impact, influence and maybe even a business of their own.
Learn more here:
WHAT WE COVER IN THIS CONVERSATION
Building a Dream When You Can’t Control the Outcome
Acting might be an extreme example… but it highlights something all of us face.
You can prepare.
You can practice.
You can show up.
You can give it your absolute best.
And you STILL can’t control the outcome.
Alex talks about navigating auditions, rejection and the strange reality of pursuing a career where you can do everything right… and still not get the job.
We dig into:
- How to focus on what you CAN control when so much feels outside your control
- Why “showing up again” might be one of the most important success skills you can develop
- How to give your best without allowing every outcome to define you
- Why uncertainty doesn’t necessarily mean you’re on the wrong path
Finding JOY in the Work… Not Just the Finish Line
This was one of my favorite parts of the conversation.
It’s incredibly easy to tell ourselves…
“I’ll enjoy this when I finally get there.”
When I get the promotion.
When the business works.
When the book is published.
When I land the role.
When I finally hit THAT goal.
But there’s a problem.
The finish line keeps moving.
Alex talks about learning to intentionally get excited about the work itself, especially when the work is difficult, repetitive or uncertain.
That doesn’t mean every day is awesome.
Sometimes you have to embrace the hard stuff.
BUT… what if we could find ways to inject a little more curiosity… play… experimentation… and FUN into the process?
That shift can change a lot.
Creativity, Perfectionism & Putting Your Work Into the World
Alex has already written three 300+ page novels… and he’s working on a new series.
But he’s VERY honest about something every creator understands:
Creating something is one thing.
Letting people SEE it is another.
Alex talks about the fear of releasing creative work and the temptation to keep tweaking something until it’s “perfect.”
Spoiler alert: Perfect never comes.
Sometimes you simply have to finish something… release it… learn from it… and allow yourself to get better.
Because looking back at something you created years ago and seeing ways you’d improve it TODAY isn’t evidence that you failed.
It might be evidence that you GREW.
Why Curiosity Can Bring People Together
Alex also launched his own podcast, and one of the things he’s discovering is how powerful a genuinely curious conversation can be.
He’s interviewed people with different jobs, backgrounds, experiences and beliefs.
And he ends his conversations with a powerful question:
“How would you like to be remembered?”
The answers have reminded him of something important.
Social media can make it feel like everybody is against everybody.
But when you sit across from another human being… get curious… ask good questions… and actually listen… you often discover there’s a lot more common ground than you expected.
That’s something we ALL need more of.
What Would You Tell Your 12-Year-Old Self?
Towards the end, I asked Alex a question he wasn’t expecting.
What would he tell the 12-year-old version of himself?
The kid who loved movies… loved telling stories… had big ideas… and had no idea whether any of those dreams made sense.
His answer is something I think a LOT of DREAM THINK DOers need to hear.
Keep creating.
Keep trying things.
Keep pursuing the things that make you come alive.
Because there will always be voices telling you to quiet down… play it safe… or only pursue the things that “make sense.”
Sometimes your job is simply to keep showing up and keep exploring.
Especially when you don’t know exactly where it’s going yet.
CONNECT WITH ALEX
Podcast:
Met by Coincidence – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/met-by-coincidence/id1871001479
Books:
WAKING UP Series – https://link.amazon/B06JD6zKE
Instagram – www.instagram.com/alexander.matthews
Countdown TV Show on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DJ9MKHTZ?ref_=atv_dp_share_cu_r
LET’S TAKE THIS CONVERSATION ONE STEP FURTHER
So… how about YOU?
What’s something you’ve been waiting to feel “ready” to do?
Where are you focusing too much on an outcome you can’t control?
What would change if you found a way to enjoy the PROCESS more?
And here’s a big one:
What would the 12-year-old version of YOU be really excited to see you try?
Pick ONE thing.
Then take one small step this week.
Send the email.
Write the first page.
Make the call.
Try the audition.
Start the conversation.
Create the ugly first version.
Whatever it is… give yourself permission to START.
And if someone came to mind while you were listening, send them this episode and talk about it together.
Dream bigger. Think better. And do more of what you were put on the planet to do.
Let’s go!
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