Be Useful
If you decide to get this book, you have to get the audio version. Arnold does the narration and gives the book life and emphasis. Don’t expect any life-changing information or secrets here though. Arnold’s an actor, performer, politician, and salesman. But if you take a light-hearted approach to Be Useful, it’ll be short and entertaining. And maybe motivate you to push a little hard and achieve a little more.
An Introduction to Arnold’s Life
Arnold’s life is nothing but an amazing story. In his 70s now, Arnold’s telling his story from an elder, wise man passing along life advice. I say this as this book can be mistaken for his last book. Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story. Even though the book doesn’t have a lot of new information about Arnold’s life, the little bits and stories of how it all happened really keep you hooked and are told from a different perspective.
The book can be broken up into 3 categories of his life. Bodybuilding. Acting. And Politics. There are 7 chapters in the book. 1. Have a clear vision. 2. Never think small. 3. work your ass off. 4. sell, sell, sell. 5. Shift gears. 6. Shut your mouth, open your mind. and 7. Break your mirrors.
In each chapter, Arnold elaborates on how he used each to either further his vision or overcome some challenge he was facing. Let’s be clear though. Arnold is an anomaly with super genetics, charisma, and intelligence. I think a better title for this book should be something along the lines of Pump Up Your Dreams or Terminating Your Problems. He only really ties in the Be Useful part towards the end, with the view and mantra in his later years now, where it’s not about me, me, me, but we, we, we.
Negative Reinforcement with Positive Gains
Arnold starts with growing up in a small farm town in Austria with a simple life. But Arnold had the vision to do something different than tending the farm and chopping wood. He had the vision to be the best bodybuilder and started chasing that dream. When talking about his early childhood, Arnold mentions the concept of negative reinforcement. His dad, a heavy drinker and abuser, would tell him that bodybuilding is a dead end and he should chop extra wood for the neighbors. Does negative reinforcement work? It did for Arnold, and with the help of coaches who saw the raw talent in him, he was able to take that talent to the U.S. and explore the world of bodybuilding.
In the world of bodybuilding, Arnold was numero uno. Arnold put in the hard work to be number one and used that work ethic that got him to the top of bodybuilding in everything he did. Perfecting his posing transitions in the iconic scene in Pumping Iron with Franco Columbo, doing ballet. This is an example of his going above and beyond and doing whatever it takes. According to Arnold and his encyclopedia, he would work twice a day for a couple of hours each session. The work ethic didn’t stop in the gym, Arnold was also marketing himself in almost anything in the fitness industry. To make ends meet, he and Franco sold themselves as European bricklayers and would build small walls and such to make extra money.
Arnold’s Acting Career
After being at the top of bodybuilding for so long, Arnold’s vision shifted to being an actor. Not just any actor, but the lead, the star, the main man. He took his bodybuilding work ethic and put it towards taking an acting class. English classes. And even improv. He talks about the hours he put in learning how to swing the Conon sword around and the famous shotgun flip in Terminator. After achieving the most kills in Hollywood, Arnold wanted to expand his horizons and become a funny man. Teaming up with Danny Devito, they came up with the movie Twins. Nobody wanted to buy the movie, it sounds laughable on paper. That didn’t stop Arnold. He sold it with the deal of not taking a salary but getting 20% of all international sales, videos, and TV screenings, and made him 35 million. One of his highest paydays.
Arnold’s Politics
Arnold’s next vision was in politics. Being inspired when working with President Bush and being chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness. He soaked up as much as he could about politics and policies and somehow became the govern-a-tor of California. Arnold really didn’t know anything about politics. He learned about Gerrymandering after becoming governor, but at least took action against it. He learned to open his mind to try to work with other politicians and got creative in doing so. He waxes on about the difficulties of natural disasters and having to be quick to get solutions to people in need.
Modern Arnold
This brings us to where Arnold is now. Where you stop focusing on what’s in the mirror and look to help your fellow man. Do something, anything that you want, and pour yourself into it. Like I said in the beginning, this book isn’t groundbreaking in any sense, but listening to Arnold will motivate you to tackle the challenging parts of life head-on.
What We Can Learn from Arnold
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s life story is more than just a tale of fame and success; it’s a blueprint for living a life of purpose and relentless pursuit of goals. As we reflect on his journey, several key lessons emerge.
Vision and Clarity
Arnold’s success in various fields – bodybuilding, acting, and politics – stemmed from having a clear and ambitious vision. His story teaches us the power of setting definitive goals and visualizing our desired outcomes.
Work Ethic and Perseverance
His rise from a small village in Austria to global fame was fueled by an unmatched work ethic. Arnold’s dedication to training, learning, and improving himself is a reminder of the importance of hard work and perseverance in achieving our goals.
Adaptability and Learning
Schwarzenegger’s ability to transition seamlessly between diverse careers highlights the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. His life encourages us to embrace new challenges and constantly acquire new skills.
Positive Impact and Giving Back
In his later years, Arnold has focused on helping others and making a positive impact. This shift from personal achievements to community-focused goals illustrates the fulfillment that comes from contributing to the greater good. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s journey teaches us that with a clear vision, hard work, adaptability, and a desire to make a positive impact, we can achieve our dreams and inspire others along the way. His story is a powerful reminder that no goal is too lofty, and no obstacle is insurmountable.
