Ethan Hawke on the value of humility and perseverance

“It doesn't matter what happens to you in life – you’re going to get beat up.” Those are the words of someone who has been celebrated, written off, and re-embraced several times over. In this case, it’s Ethan Hawke: an actor, director, and writer with 35 years’ worth of ups and downs.

When Hawke appeared on the celebrated NPR show Fresh Air in October 2020, he shared some hard-won lessons from that career path. Here are the key insights that stood out to me...

Early success has more drawbacks than advantages. Fame can open doors and draw opportunities, but a young person simply doesn’t have the perspective to use that power for their own benefit. If anything, it just disorientates you.

It’s natural for young people to not feel good enough. Getting showered with praise doesn’t make that feeling go away. The disparity between how you feel on the inside and the nice things people say about you only inflates the sense of being a fraud.

Whatever your goals are, approach them with the mindset of an athlete. Play like you practice and practice how you play. It’s the only way to get better. Worshiping false gods (like ego and celebrity) will only get you burnt.

Humility is an excellent tool. As long as you remain open to learning, you won’t get weighed down by the baggage of expertise. Keeping bravado at bay makes you more honest and puts you in a better position to excel.

Hawke had an eye-opening moment when he realized that filmmaker Richard Linklater didn’t aspire to follow in the footsteps of his heroes. Instead of trying to “make it” as a director, he wanted to express himself with a new voice – regardless of the rewards.

Art is not a meritocracy. The world is full of brilliant but broke artists. Why? Because the commercial art world is an unreliable evaluator – one that celebrates the mediocre. Instead of getting discouraged, use your goals (not their outcomes) to keep going and stay orientated.

Reframe fear as your friend. Hawke battled crippling anxiety in his late 30s, when his self-esteem felt dependent on success. Then he realized that insecurity was driving him to work harder, that it was actually helping him cross the tiny gap between good and great.

Bottom line: Don’t wait for permission to advance your skills. Define success on your own terms and let fear drive you there. But stay humble, stay open, and keep trying. “Whenever you act like you’re too good or deserve better, you’re pretty much announcing yourself as an idiot.”