Quote Of The Day By Tom Hardy: 'There's Nothing Worse Than Anticipation. It's Always The Killer Of Everything. The Actuality Of...'

Tom Hardy has always balanced his career across TV and film, and although he's best known for movies like "Inception," "The Dark Knight Rises," "Mad Max: Fury Road" and the "Venom" trilogy, he's also worked just as hard with his roles on the small screen.

He got his start in "Band of Brothers," one of the best HBO original series of all time, before starring as Robert Dudley in the BBC's "The Virgin Queen." And he brought a sense of ferocity to the streets of Birmingham as Alfie Solomons in "Peaky Blinders." It was never entirely clear whether the Jewish gangster was a friend or foe to Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), although the pair always respected each other despite their frequent scuffles.

Hardy is also set to return to our screens this September as fixer Harry Da Souza in "MobLand" Season 2. The Paramout+ series sees him working for the Harrigan crime family which is in danger of splintering thanks to decades of internal rivalries and dramatic betrayals. So the show's return this month is why Hardy is today's quote of the day.

"No matter how much you can prepare for it, there's nothing worse than the anticipation. It's always the killer of everything. The actuality of doing something is normally a lot easier than the waiting for it."

Tom Hardy espoused that nugget of wisdom back in 2002 while promoting Paramount's "Star Trek: Nemesis" in an interview with IGN. He was asked whether the auditions were terrifying for the film, in which he plays a clone of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). Stepping into the shoes of one of the most famous British stars of his generation was not exactly an easy feat, so it's understandable why he was apprehensive about the audition process.

Despite being met with a lukewarm reception, "Nemesis" was one of Hardy's breakout roles in 2002, proving he could handle blockbuster science-fiction early on in his career. So, the anticipation was worth it.

Tom Hardy's comments — which are quite profound for someone in the early days of their career — are about reminding yourself that it's easier to get something done than it is to worry about doing that thing in the first place. In Hardy's case, he was talking about the stress of an impending audition, but we can apply this to everyday life too.

That's not to say you shouldn't worry about something you want to succeed at, because disregarding it and becoming complacent isn't exactly great either. But approaching it with a calmer, more methodical approach automatically sets you up for success instead of overthinking the situation.

Hardy's comments also act as a great lesson for those who struggle with procrastination. By repeatedly putting something off and ignoring it, it can almost feel like a bigger obstacle than it actually is. However, just doing it and getting it out of the way can often use less energy than you'd use in repeatedly chastising yourself for not getting things done. Yes, that includes the life admin you've been putting off for ages, get it done!

• "I'm going to fail to hit the mark I've put up before me because it's not possible to hit it. I want to be the best at what I do so I've got to get over myself already because that's never going to happen. I ain't ever going to be god." — From a 2009 interview with IndieLondon

• "Somewhere between that acceptance and doing my homework and being competitive and having ambition and loving my job and observing and reflecting my society, that's where I find the purpose. Because a man needs purpose." — From a 2009 interview with IndieLondon

• "A great man is largely forgotten by the public. He doesn't stand on top of a mountain waving a flag saying, "Look at me – I'm a great man." A great man often disappears into the ether. Hardly anyone notices that he was even there, apart from his family and close friends. He was reliable. He showed up. He was there. He was useful where he could be. He made mistakes. Tried to make better of those mistakes...

  Doesn't mean you have to cure cancer or understand the theory of relativity. It's not necessarily as rock-and-roll or as cool as you might think. Part of being a great man is accepting that. To dare to be average and normal is actually a pathway to becoming a great man. To have more humility. To accept responsibility more. To just get on with what's in front of your face. And to leave no f***ing indelible mark of your ever being here, apart from the fact that you were there for your family to the best of your ability. It's not an easy task. I'll probably f*** it up." — From a 2015 interview with GQ