Greenlights

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Greenlights blends memoir and self-help, offering both personal stories and life philosophies. What were your overall impressions of McConaughey’s approach? Did you find his reflections and advice relatable or inspiring? How does his approach compare to memoirs with a similar focus on self-development—e.g., Cheryl Strayed’s Wild?

2. McConaughey challenges the public perception of him as laidback by sharing stories of struggle, effort, and personal growth. Did the book change your view of him? Why or why not? Have you read other memoirs by actors or entertainers broadly—e.g., Viola Davis’s Finding Me or Britney Spears’s The Woman in Me? Do you find that such works generally align with the performers’ public image?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. McConaughey describes the balance between hustling to achieve success and surrendering to life’s natural flow. Have you ever experienced a time when pushing too hard worked against you or when letting go led to an unexpected opportunity?

2. McConaughey attributes much of his success to a combination of preparation, persistence, and luck.