Matthew McConaughey Gives Out Valuable Life Advice During Commencement Speech in Houston

"If we're going to make a mistake, we've got to own them, make amends and you've got to move on," McConaughey tells the Class of 2015

Photo: Bob Levey/Getty

Matthew McConaughey got personal while delivering the commencement speech at the University of Houston on Friday.

The Texas native revealed he defines himself by five things: fatherhood, being a good husband, health, career and friendships. “I want to keep all five in healthy shape,” he said. “If I don’t keep maintenance on them, one of them is going to get weak.”

Sharing his best life advice with the graduates at the university where his father “Big Jim” McConaughey once played for the football team, he also warned the Class of 2015 to “not fall into the entitlement trap of feeling like a victim,” said McConaughey. “You are not. Get over it and get on with it. Yes most things are more rewarding when you break a sweat to get them.”

The Oscar-winning actor, 45, also made it clear that nobody should ever use the word “unbelievable” – because nothing really is.

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“If there’s one thing you can depend on people being, it’s people,” explained McConaughey. “I think unbelievable is an unbelievably stupid word.”

Another piece of advice: Do things for the joy of it and you’ll be more successful. “As soon as the work, the daily making of the movie, the doing of the deed became the reward in itself for me,” he said. “I got more box office, more accolades, more respect than I ever had before.”

But perhaps the most important life lesson he imparted to the group was to take responsibility for your actions and keep looking forward. “If we’re going to make a mistake, we’ve got to own them, make amends and you’ve got to move on,” said McConaughey.