Master your anxiety. Unleash your genius | Jesse Eisenberg for Big Think+

TL;DR

Jesse Eisenberg discusses how anxiety drives him and shares insights on collaboration and leadership.

Transcript

• When I think about like the kind of motivating factors for me, you know, it's effort and you know, talent and creativity and all that stuff. But I cannot underestimate how often I'm just driven by anxiety and fear. (audience laughing) - You and I are both very self-hating. - A lot of the things that motivate me are like kind of negative motivator... Read More

Key Insights

• 😨 Anxiety and fear can be powerful motivators for individuals in their careers.
• ⛽ Reframing anxiety as fuel and motivation can help reduce worry and increase motivation.
• 🤭 Collaboration is essential in creative fields, and effective leadership often comes from quiet, relatable directors who motivate collaboratively.
• 🥺 Deferring to more experienced individuals and providing a space for them to excel can lead to better outcomes.
• ❓ Reacting and adapting to the intentions of collaborators is crucial in acting and many other collaborative endeavors.
• 🥺 Collaborating with successful and experienced individuals can be intimidating, but giving and receiving feedback can lead to productive and enjoyable partnerships.
• 🥺 Focusing on personal ideas and contributions instead of comparing oneself to others can lead to more effective collaborations.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are some negative motivators that drive Jesse Eisenberg?

Eisenberg shares that anxiety, fear, self-consciousness, and self-hatred are negative motivators that drive him in his career. These emotions push him to work harder and strive for success.

Q: How does Eisenberg cope with criticism as a public figure?

Eisenberg created a bubble to protect himself from criticism. He avoids watching the movies he's been in, reading reviews, or even biking past streets with movie advertisements. By not obsessing over things he can't control, he can remain focused and self-motivated.

Q: How does Eisenberg approach leadership in his directing career?

Eisenberg admits that he is not a traditional leader who leads with loudness or bombastic confidence. Instead, he focuses on understanding and getting the best from each person. He values collaboration, humility, and the ability to create a space for others to excel.

Q: How does Eisenberg collaborate with actors who have different styles or ideas?

Eisenberg learned that micromanaging and trying to engineer another person's work is not effective. In his experience, he found that allowing actors to fully live in their roles, be loose, and improvise improved the movie and created a fun and enriching working environment.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jesse Eisenberg reveals that anxiety and fear are significant motivating factors for him in his career.

• He emphasizes the importance of reframing anxiety as fuel and motivation to worry less and be more motivated.

• Eisenberg shares insights on collaborating with others, being a leader, and deferring to more experienced individuals.