Dwayne Johnson is rated one of the hardest-working actors in Hollywood, which is why he’s among the highest-paid actors. Dude gets three to five hours of sleep each night. Three.

He’s also one of the most inspiring people in the world. He has over 300million followers on Instagram, where he doesn’t shy away from sharing an inspo post now and again – like, say, the perks of a late-night gym sesh, why you need to work hard in life, or the benefits of a 7,000-calorie cheat meal.

No matter what, The Rock is a 21st Century icon. That’s why we decided to share the seven most important lessons he’s taught us over time.

Seven, because that’s the amount of money he had when he was kicked out of the Canadian Football League and had to start over. Seven, because that’s the mane of his firm –SevenBuck Productions.

Work Like Your Life Depends on It Because It Does

Photo credit: alforja cat

Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work equals success – Dwayne Johnson

As a child, Dwayne witnessed his dad wake up at 5 am every day. He’d have his cup of coffee and then hit the gym. And when other kids played at the playground, Dwayne accompanied his dad to the gym – hardcore gyms. His first interaction with weight rooms was as a pre-teen.

However, this was a crucial bonding time for them, and it was then that he learned there’s no substitute for hard work.
His dad and other wrestlers would train for hours every morning, like all the top bodybuilding giants – Frank Zane, Albert Beckles, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was all they knew, and it was all Dwayne knew. And it worked.

Create A Solid Morning Routine

Dwayne starts his day at 3.30 am. He begins with a light cardio workout –a quick run or some weights (when he knows he’ll have a busy day). After working out, he has his morning meal, ‘The Power Breakfast,’ and starts his day.

You, too, can create your morning routine. Wake up early, go for a run, do some light intensity cardio, or try meditation – whatever gets you supercharged. Kickstarting your day with a defined habit helps you have a positive and proactive attitude, allowing you to accomplish your day’s tasks on time.

It also helps alleviate stress, minimize mental fatigue, and boosts your overall productivity, clearing the path for a successful future.

Appreciate More

It’s easy to get caught up in the bliss of success and forget how fortunate you are. Practicing gratitude is an ideal way of creating a positive environment, reducing stress and anxiety, and enhancing your overall health.

How can you cultivate this habit? It’s simple. Like Johnson, you can pen down a gratitude letter to your supporters or do some volunteer work. Dwayne has a long list of the charities he supports and volunteers his time for, including, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, I Have a Dream Foundation, Parkinson Society Maritime Region, Red Cross, Starlight Children’s Foundation, and Until There’s A Cure.

It can also be as simple as reminding yourself of one thing you’re grateful for every day before going to sleep. The more you appreciate the small wins, the happier you’ll be.

Exercise – It’s Good For Your Overall Existence

Besides boosting physical health, working out enhances creativity and improves cognitive skills. It’s also the best way to build endurance and get pumped up for work.

If you’re not convinced, just ask Dwayne. The guy has a solid workout routine that helps keep him grounded and ready for anything thrown at him. He’s currently doing a #BlackAdam workout, which involves leg curls, compound pressing movements, chain lunges, shark pit squats, and barbell squats.

The training helps improve blood volume, detail, and conditioning, which means it acts as a natural anti-depressant. Still need more reasons for hitting the HIITs and strength training workouts?

Just scroll through Dwayne’s IG page – you’ll get the inspiration you need.

Eat Right

Instagram: @therock

Consuming healthy meals boosts your physical health and helps you save on $$$, bolsters your energy levels, and amps up your mood – you become a healthier, leaner, stronger, and happier person, which equals a better and successful life.

Dwayne subscribes to a ‘Power’ meal plan, consisting primarily of high-protein chicken, salmon, and buffalo, with light carbs like rice and sweet potatoes. He also loves his greens and then enjoys a delicious cheeseburger on the weekends as his cheat meal.
He mainly relies on natural protein sources, but he uses a casein protein shake now and then to improve his workout recovery.

Invest in Self-Care

Taking some time off to unwind does wonders for your mental health, mood, and self-esteem – and Dwayne Johnson knows this.

His preferred mode of relaxation? Fish farming. The Hawaiian-born icon spends his self-care time at his ‘happy place’ – his sprawling farm in Charlottesville. Dwayne has been raising his fish for over a decade now – trout, carp, sunfish, and more. And he works closely with a team of biologists to ensure a thriving ecosystem for his fish to live in.

When he’s not fishing, he loves spending time with his babies. This enables him to decompress and enjoy time off from all the noise.

You, too, can develop your decompression routine, and it doesn’t have to involve fish – we all can’t rear fish. So, try listening to music, hiking, cooking with your family, or learning a new skill. Whatever rocks your boat, do it!

Don’t Give Up

Instagram: @therock

Dwayne always says failure is a virtue. So, don’t throw in the towel just yet. When the road gets brutal, get tougher, too. Challenges are meant to shape you and mold you. Were it not for the thousands of failures Dwayne experienced, no one would know The Rock today.

So, don’t be afraid to fall. That tiny or massive failure can help pave the path to becoming the next world icon.

Adulting the holiday season is never easy for the average guy, and it is important that you pay special attention to your peace of mind despite the hustle and bustle of the season.

Typically it is the best time of year but we know for many it also brings with it a lot of pressure and unrealistic expectations that many of us are not equipped to deal with emotionally.

If you are a spiritual man then this post is for you! On hard days ask God to grant you strength and clarity of mind and to help you feel at ease in your life.

Pray for peace of mind

Yes, it is true, that we cannot control people, plots or plans and in some cases our very own circumstances. Therefore, declare your trust in God and ask Him to step in and take the reigns over the trivial and heavy matters that might come your way. If you are feeling stressed out, pray for peace of mind daily until you actually feel at peace.

Stop worrying about trivial things

Sometimes things in life are running smoothly and then there are times that you cannot seem to find a balance and you begin to stumble and constantly worry about things some of which you might not have control over.

The crazy thing is, most things that we worry and dread over never happen anyway and we make up scenarios in our head that cause more stress than value.

Talk to someone

If you are like me then typically you try to shoulder your problem all on your own. You might feel weak or vulnerable even when that really isn’t the case at all. Some burdens we do have to shoulder alone but there are also some burdens that others can help us navigate especially during the holidays.

Focus on what’s important

Focus on what matters to you, if it doesn’t feed your heart and soul you might have to hold off on certain things until you are able to re-evaluate or redefine what is most important to you.

Once you figure that out, place your energy into the things that matter the most.

Actor and bestselling author Hill Harper opens up about his decision to adopt a son just over a year ago at the age of 50. He said that his decision to have little Pierce has been the biggest blessing of his life.

In a special with good morning America, he talked about his life as a single dad and how he was inspired to adopt by a friend of his.

Via ABC news:

“I always thought I was going to get married, have my own kids and I was going to adopt,” Harper, 51, said. “I had talked about adopting and I had talked about wanting to be this dad, and she said, ‘You’re going to be a great dad but I think you’re waiting too long. You may get to a point where you’ll decide you’re not going to do it. Even though you’re not married, why can’t you just be a dad now?’”

After that conversation he decided to talk to an adoption person and learn the process:

“I talked to the guy and I said, ‘You know, listen. I really appreciate you giving me the information, I’m just not ready. I’m not there,’” the “Limitless” actor recalled of their initial conversation. “And then fast-forward to right before Thanksgiving of that year, I get a call from him. I was shooting a show called ‘Limitless’ at the time. I was in my dressing room and I didn’t know why he was calling me. He says, ‘There’s a wonderful young woman who is having a son in three weeks. Would you be interested in adopting him?’”

Despite being initially caught off guard, he agreed and said he’s honored to be Pierce’s father.

He was even in the delivery room when his son was born.

“I actually went from the set of ‘All Eyez on Me,” flew to where she was giving birth and I was there in the delivery room and I cut the cord,” he said. “I’m so proud that Pierce — his name is Pierce Hill Harper– that Pierce chose me to be his dad.

“It’s the biggest blessing of my life,” Harper added. “The biggest role, and certainly the biggest blessing.”

Harper, who rose to fame for his role as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes on the CBS drama “CSI: NY,” hopes his story will inspire and encourage anyone considering becoming an adoptive parent to follow through.

“Every day you’re making a different set of decisions that you feel impact the future of this wonderful person,” he said. “That’s a challenge. It’s a beautiful challenge but it’s a challenge.”

The most rewarding aspect of adoption?

“I never felt I could love this deeply. I love him and he’s my son,” said Harper.

Much blessings to Hill Harper and his beautiful son!