Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of those names that’s almost synonymous with success. His book, "Be Useful," is just another aspect of his success; it quickly soared to the top of the NY Times bestseller list (just days after its release), in Britain it secured the No. 1 spot on the Sunday Times Bestseller list, and even before its official launch, the book became Amazon’s most pre-ordered title. So, what are Arnie’s secrets that help him achieve his goals on every playing field? 

His book outlines the foundational principles that have guided his extraordinary journey from a small Austrian village to the heights of global stardom and political influence. In our first foray into Schwarzenegger's life lessons, we uncovered his belief in the importance of having a clear vision, thinking big, and relentlessly working towards your goals. Now, in the second part of this series, we will explore the remaining tools Schwarzenegger outlines, offering actionable advice for job hunters and career-driven individuals.

Whether you're looking to climb the corporate ladder, start a new business venture, or simply improve your professional skills, Schwarzenegger's wisdom provides an essential guide for turning your aspirations into achievements. 

Shift Gears 

We’ve all been sat in a meeting with that one Debbie Downer who’s got all the complaints but none of the solutions. For Schwarzenegger, it’s clear; being a Debbie gets you nowhere. In fact, Schwarzenegger has a rule that states that there’s no point complaining about a situation unless you're prepared to do something to make it better. This mindset is a powerful antidote to negativity bias, the tendency to focus on the negative aspects of a situation. Instead of dwelling on problems, Schwarzenegger encourages us to shift our perspective and actively seek out the positives, no matter how challenging the circumstances may be.

Embracing positivity not only has profound effects on our mental and emotional well-being but can also impact our physical health and overall quality of life. Despite facing adversity throughout his life, Schwarzenegger remains grateful for his experiences, recognising that they have shaped him into the resilient and motivated individual he is today. A notable example of Schwarzenegger's resilience and positivity is his reaction to a surprise open-heart surgery that threatened to delay filming for his new movie. Rather than succumbing to fear or frustration, Schwarzenegger applied the same processes of tracking and visualising his progress that had served him well throughout his career. This proactive approach enabled him to recover swiftly and return to strength training, ultimately avoiding any delays in production. 

Schwarzenegger's attitude towards risk and failure is an interesting one. He views failure not as a setback but as an essential part of the journey towards success. By reframing failure in this way, he reduces its power to intimidate and instead sees it as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. His perspective on risk is similarly insightful. Rather than focusing solely on the potential downside, he encourages us to consider what we have to lose by not taking risks. This shift in mindset empowers individuals to embrace calculated risks and push the boundaries of their abilities.
 

“Failure is not fatal... If anything, when you look at it with the right perspective, failure is actually the beginning of measurable success, because failure is only possible in situations where you’ve tried to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile. You can’t fail when you don’t try.”

For young professionals, it can often feel like there’s a very steep learning curve, so the important thing is to acknowledge that setbacks are not the end of the road but rather stepping stones to progress. A practical action point you can implement in your professional life is to take a leaf out of Arnie’s book and start viewing failures as valuable learning experiences. Take time to reflect on past setbacks, identify the lessons learned, and use them to inform your future decisions and actions. By embracing failure as a natural part of the journey towards success, you'll develop resilience and adaptability, essential qualities for thriving in your career. 

What Schwarzenegger is really trying to say in this chapter is that while we may not always be able to control what happens to us, we always have control over how we choose to respond. By adopting a positive attitude, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and redefining our relationship with risk, we can navigate the challenges of our careers with confidence and resilience. These insights from Schwarzenegger provide actionable advice for anyone looking to stand out in the workplace, distinguishing themselves from other job applicants, or for anyone charting their own path to success. 

Shut your mouth, open your mind 

Schwarzenegger challenges conventional wisdom surrounding the pursuit of higher education in "Be Useful". While acknowledging the value of college and obtaining a degree, Schwarzenegger also emphasises that it's not the sole path to success. He argues that blindly pursuing a degree without a clear vision or purpose can lead to unnecessary debt and hinder personal and professional growth. Instead, Schwarzenegger advocates for a more holistic education approach that extends beyond the classroom. Indeed, one of the most profound lessons Schwarzenegger has learned in life comes not from textbooks but from the gym and real-world experiences. Goal setting, planning, hard work, resilience in the face of failure, effective communication, and the intrinsic value of helping others are all invaluable skills he has honed outside traditional educational settings. By prioritising these skills, anyone can equip themselves with many of the tools needed to thrive in a professional environment. 

Schwarzenegger also addresses the societal pressure placed on young people to pursue higher education at any cost. The expensive education system often creates barriers that prevent individuals from pursuing their dreams simply because they cannot afford college. However, Schwarzenegger encourages readers to challenge this narrative and embrace curiosity as a powerful alternative. He argues that purpose and vision should be the main motivator for any individual, whether you’re considering university or not. Without a clear understanding of what you want to achieve, and why, there is little point in committing to a huge debt simply to receive a degree at the end of it. Schwarzenegger encourages people to consider their options, and not to be afraid to turn their backs on the expected path, if it is not something they are passionate about.

Being curious and humble enough to admit that you don't know everything is a trait that draws the attention of important, interesting, and powerful individuals. In turn, this opens up the door of opportunity to learn from others, and to expand your horizons. By asking questions and actively listening, you demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow. Schwarzenegger encourages readers to "be a sponge," absorbing knowledge and experiences from diverse sources to fuel personal and professional development. It is in this environment that you will truly learn and develop skills that will serve you well in your careers. 

In the competitive landscape of the job market, standing out requires more than just a degree; it demands a combination of practical skills, resilience, and a thirst for knowledge. By adopting Schwarzenegger's approach to education and embracing curiosity as a guiding principle, you can position yourself as an indispensable asset, attract the attention of employers, and set your path to success, independent of any formal education.
 

“When it comes down to it, people are resources. But it’s only when you learn to soak up what those people tell you – not just let it go in one ear, out the other – that you truly begin to make yourself useful to others and become a resource yourself.”

Break your mirrors 

In his book, Schwarzenegger's insights extend beyond personal achievement and highlights the responsibility to give back and uplift others along the way. Despite being hailed as a "self-made man," Schwarzenegger struggles to accept the term and is constantly acknowledging the invaluable role that others have played in his journey. He emphasises that no one achieves success in isolation; we all receive help and guidance from others, whether directly or indirectly. Schwarzenegger suggests that even those who hindered our progress have inadvertently taught us valuable lessons. It is from these people that we learn lessons about resilience, perseverance, and the importance of staying true to ourselves. By embracing these lessons, we can understand what not to do and what not to be, propelling us forward on our path to success.

Schwarzenegger challenges us to recognise our responsibility to give back – to "send the ladder back down and lift the next group up". By paying these acts of kindness, or generosity forward and being useful to others, Schwarzenegger believes we not only contribute to collective growth and prosperity but can also find fulfillment in enriching the lives of those around us. Contrary to the zero-sum mentality that today’s society is surrounded by, he believes in the power of collaboration and mutual growth. He argues that by helping others succeed, we create a ripple effect of positivity that benefits everyone involved. It's not about competing for finite resources but rather about creating abundance and opportunity for all.

Research supports Schwarzenegger's belief that the act of giving is intrinsically linked to increased happiness, regardless of the magnitude of the gesture. He references a 2008 study carried out at Harvard, the results of which clearly outlined that it’s the act of giving that produces increased happiness. The lesson we can all take from this is that it’s not about rearranging our lives to make space for altruism but rather about cultivating a mindset of openness and engagement with the world around us. In doing so, we can become happier people and individuals who can bring more to society and communities around us. “Helper’s High”, as it has been coined by social scientists, suggests the act of giving back and doing good can even become addictive. In a professional environment, this can be the differentiating factor that sets you above your peers; not only can you be a mentor or a guiding light to others, but the emotional reaction it elicits will not only encourage you to do this on a sustainable level but will also earmark you as a positive and influential driving force within your business.
 

“The first thing to realize is that at the simplest, most basic level, you don’t have to rearrange your life to help other people. You just have to keep your eyes and ears open and be engaged with the world around you... Helping others is a simple practice that requires nothing more than awareness, willingness, and a little bit of effort.”

For Schwarzenegger, our society has become far too self-absorbed. He urges his reader to break free from the confines of self-centeredness and embrace a mindset of collective empowerment. By shifting our focus from ourselves to others, we not only enrich the lives of those around us but also find greater meaning and purpose in our own journey. Breaking your mirror gives you the ability to start looking outward, towards each other, rather than being internally focused. As we strive to make a positive impact in our workplaces, communities, and beyond, the lesson any driven person can take here is that by opening your perspective, you can find more opportunities to help and support others in succeeding too.

Don’t forget 

Arnold Schwarzenegger's journey from a small Austrian village to global stardom and political influence is nothing short of remarkable. His book, "Be Useful," offers the foundational principles that have guided his own life and have led him to success. From having a clear vision and thinking big to relentlessly working towards goals, Schwarzenegger's advice provides a roadmap for anyone looking to turn their aspirations into achievements.  

By embracing positivity, reframing failure as a learning opportunity, and redefining our relationship with risk, we can also learn to navigate the challenges of our careers with confidence and resilience. By adopting a mindset of curiosity and lifelong learning, it is possible to position yourselves as an indispensable asset in any professional setting. 

Schwarzenegger reminds us that giving more leads to getting more. By being useful to others, we become the most useful version of ourselves, not only in our careers but also in our families, communities, and the world at large.  

Are you setting your own goal on your path to success? Hamlyn Williams can help you take the next step in your career. Take a look at some of our latest jobs or get in touch with the Hamlyn Williams team today to start on your next journey!