We live in a world where trust is short and success stories are often met with scepticism and scrutiny. Yet few individuals embody the essence of triumph against all odds quite like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Love him or loathe him, his successes are undeniable. His recent book, Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life, has sparked controversy and divided audiences, yet his remarkable journey from bodybuilder to Hollywood superstar to Governor of California stands as a testament to his unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of excellence. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger's rise to prominence is a tale of resilience, ambition, and unyielding commitment to self-improvement. Despite facing countless obstacles and naysayers along the way, he defied the odds and carved out a path to success that has left an indelible mark on the world. In "Be Useful," Schwarzenegger shares insights gathered from a lifetime of experiences, offering readers something of a roadmap to achieving their own versions of greatness.  

At the core of Schwarzenegger's philosophy are seven key principles that he credits for his remarkable achievements. These principles serve as the foundation for his success and offer insights for anyone looking to climb the ladder, whether in their career, personal endeavours, or the pursuit of self-fulfilment. 

In this article, we'll explore the first half of Schwarzenegger's seven tools for life, exploring how they can be applied to empower individuals seeking to become indispensable in their own right. Whether you're striving for a promotion, aiming to propel your career to new heights, or embarking on a journey of self-discovery, Schwarzenegger's wisdom speaks to the universal human desire for growth and fulfilment. Distilling his decades of experience into actionable advice, he invites readers to embrace their inner champions and unleash their untapped potential. 

Have a Clear Vision 

Through Schwarzenegger's journey, one principle stands out prominently: having a clear vision. This foundational concept is the bedrock upon which all significant achievements are built. Throughout ‘Be Useful’ Schwarzenegger emphasises that everything good, and all great change, starts with a clear vision. 

Vision, according to Schwarzenegger, is not just about setting goals or targets. It's about saturating your life with purpose and meaning. It's about having a clear picture of what you want your life to look like and formulating a concrete plan to get there. Often, people who feel lost in their careers or personal lives haven't grasped this fundamental goal; knowing where they want to go and what they want to achieve. By failing to realise that you have the power to shape your own destiny, and that you are free to make your own decisions, will often lead people to feel unfulfilled or demotivated in their roles. 

Creating a clear vision can be approached in different ways. Some may prefer to start small and build out their vision gradually, while others will begin with a broad, grandiose vision and then slowly refine it over time. Schwarzenegger himself recommends starting small: “Focus on making improvements and banking achievements one day at a time.” This is a theory that has worked well for countless before him. Steven Bartlett is another who has explored this idea with his interviews on Kaizen and with British Cycling and Sir David Brailsford’s theory of marginal gains. 

Schwarzenegger also stresses the importance of taking time and space for oneself to walk and think. Walking, he believes, is a catalyst for creativity and inspiration. It's a practice that he believes can lead to transformative ideas and profound changes in your life and so, time must be allowed to simply walk and discover.

Schwarzenegger advocates carving out time every day for introspection. He goes on to say that routine check-ins with yourself allowing inspiration and ideas to flow freely. Daydreaming and visualisation are central to this idea, and studies support the idea that those who take time out of their day to visualise their goals are often successful in achieving them. According to Schwarzenegger, to maintain clear vision daily introspection and self-assessment are essential. He necessitates the need to check in with yourself regularly to gauge progress and adjust your course as needed. By cultivating this habit, you can stay aligned with your overarching goals and remain focused on your path to success. 

Never Think Small 

In Schwarzenegger's ethos, thinking small is not an option. Instead, he champions a mindset that defies limitations and embraces audacity. That’s not to say the small things don’t matter, but for Schwarzenegger, if you want to do something, you have to be all-in, and if you want to achieve something, you can’t stop at anything until it’s achieved. There’s not point curtailing your dreams, ambitions, and goals, as you’ve already lost if you decide to settle for something less. The details, big and small, that you must navigate on the way to your true, big-picture goal, are equally important, but you must not lose sight of the bigger picture. 

Schwarzenegger dismisses “naysayers”, labelling them as individuals who have never pursued significant endeavours themselves and are, “scared of the unfamiliar or unknown. They’re afraid of taking risks and putting themselves out there.” Their lack of firsthand experience leads them to discourage others from dreaming big. However, Schwarzenegger suggests leveraging their negativity as fuel for ambition: “Hear what they have to say and then use it as motivation”. The key is to never internalise their doubts or let them dictate the scope of your aspirations – if the person giving you advice hasn’t done it themselves before, then why should you listen to them? The same can be said for our careers, while professional advice is always helpful, we shouldn't try to temper the negative thoughts of someone who has never done our role or worked in our own companies with more useful and constructive feedback. 

In line with another commonly seen practice of those who have achieved success, Schwarzenegger adamantly rejects the concept of a backup plan. He argues that entertaining a plan B dilutes commitment to plan A. Drawing from his own political experience, Schwarzenegger recounts how the absence of a fallback option propelled him to push forward with his redistricting initiative, despite formidable obstacles:

“When something like redistricting reform snaps into focus in my mind, when it becomes a goal for me, I don’t let it go. I don’t move on. I don’t quit. And I don’t compromise. There is no plan B. Plan B is to succeed at plan A.” 

What Arnie is trying to say here, albeit less charismatically than Steven Bartlett did, is that by committing wholeheartedly to the primary goal, success becomes more attainable, and full potential is unleashed. By allowing yourself to develop a plan B, the stakes for plan A immediately are lowered. You focus less and feel less pressure to achieve it, because you have a back-up plan. But with only plan A to focus on, there are no distractions and momentum is solely focussed on achieving that one primary goal. 

According to Schwarzenegger, the only limits that truly exist are those we impose on ourselves. Fear of failure, societal expectations, or self-doubt are simply constructs of our minds. By challenging these perceived limits and pursuing our untamed goals, we can unlock new levels of achievement. Schwarzenegger's own trajectory, he believes, serves as a testament to the power of relentless ambition and unwavering resolve. But he also underscores the ripple effect of pursuing your dreams. Not only does it lead to personal happiness and success but can also serve as a source of inspiration for others. By chasing your dreams and refusing to settle for mediocrity, you can ignite a spark in those around you, encouraging them to pursue their own passions with equal fervour. 

Work Your Ass Off 

In Schwarzenegger's philosophy, one mantra rings loud and clear: "Work Your Ass Off." For Arnie, this isn't just a catchy phrase; it's a fundamental principle for anyone aiming to achieve success in their careers and lives and he firmly believes that there is no substitute for hard work. Regardless of the end-goal, whether it's pursuing a promotion, starting a business, or mastering a skill, putting in the necessary effort is non-negotiable: “...working your ass off is the only thing that works 100 percent of the time for 100 percent of the things worth achieving.” 

Hard work isn't just about putting in time, but for Arnie, is about doing the reps. Referring back to his bodybuilding days, doing reps with proper form, being fully committed and focused for each task, is what counted, and what made the difference. He teaches that it’s about embracing the pain and sacrifice because they are temporary and lead to growth and improvement. He argues that nothing builds character like resilience, the ability to persevere through challenges and setbacks. Conversely, he says that succumbing to pain and quitting is the surest way to destroy your character. 

However, Schwarzenegger firmly believes that the pain endured must serve a purpose. Productive pain is what propels individuals closer to their dreams and goals and it’s that sort of discomfort that leads to growth and meaningful progress. Part of the hard work equation is following through until the job is done—no excuses, no shortcuts. 

What Schwarzenegger is challenging us to do, is to re-evaluate how we spend our time. Instead of blaming a lack of time for their shortcomings, he believes we should assess our priorities; it's likely the problem isn’t actually a shortage of time, but rather a misallocation of it. By embracing the ethos of hard work and making intentional choices about how we invest our time and effort, we can inch closer to our goals and aspirations. Following through on our actions is essential to keep us on track too. It not only proves to ourselves that we are committed and serious about achieving our goals, but it tells the onlookers the same too. By holding ourselves accountable, and having others there to witness it, there is an increased sense of motivation that can keep us on track to achieve our goals, even when the targets are hard, and we feel we are struggling. 

Sell, Sell, Sell 

For Schwarzenegger the importance of selling cannot be overstated in the journey to success. No matter how compelling your vision may be, it's essential to promote, communicate, and sell it effectively. Schwarzenegger emphasises the significance of knowing how to sell your vision and identifying the right audience to sell it to. He also highlights the idea that the first person you need to sell your vision to is yourself. You are your first customer; and so, it's crucial to believe completely in the value of your vision before expecting others to do the same. 

Authenticity is at the heart of a successful sell. In ‘Be Useful’, Schwarzenegger challenges us to embrace who we are and to own our stories, even if they're not always flattering. Hiding from your true self or attempting to fabricate a persona will only lead to mistrust and disillusionment in the long run. And while authenticity is central to success, it makes sense that deception will only lead to pitfalls. Trying to be someone you're not or distorting your story only serves to erode trust and credibility. Instead, Schwarzenegger advocates for transparency and honesty, even when faced with adversity. By embracing your true self and sharing your authentic story, you not only cultivate trust but also establish a genuine connection with others; this is something that can be carried through to any part of your life, be it in private relationships, at work with your colleagues, and even with your clients or customers. 

The ability to sell yourself and your ideas is an indispensable skill that you will call upon many times throughout your life. Whether pitching a project to colleagues, aiming for a promotion, or pursuing your own entrepreneurial ventures, effective communication and persuasion skills are essential. Schwarzenegger's emphasis on selling extends beyond mere transactions; it's about selling your vision, your values, and ultimately, yourself. 

Remember 

In embracing Arnold Schwarzenegger's principles outlined in "Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life," we can not only equip ourselves with the means to thrive in our careers but can also cultivate the indispensable qualities that set us apart in any professional setting. "Be Useful" also offers invaluable insights for job hunters and individuals striving to progress in their careers. Through his own remarkable journey, Schwarzenegger exemplifies the principles he advocates. From having a clear vision to embracing authenticity and the art of selling, Schwarzenegger's tools provide a roadmap for success in any professional endeavour. 

For job hunters, Schwarzenegger's emphasis on having a clear vision is particularly pertinent. By envisioning their desired career paths and setting actionable goals, individuals can navigate the job market with purpose and certainty. His lesson to embrace authenticity serves as a powerful reminder that honesty and transparency are key assets in any job search. Rather than presenting a fabricated image, job seekers can differentiate themselves by showcasing their genuine skills, experiences, and values. Recruiters and talent teams are extremely practised at spotting the ‘white lies’ in your CV so make sure you’re representing your authentic self at every point through your job hunt journey. 

Schwarzenegger's insights are also valuable for those looking to progress in their careers. Whether seeking a promotion, pitching a project, or networking with colleagues, the ability to effectively communicate and persuade is essential. By mastering the art of selling, individuals can showcase their value proposition and gain support for their initiatives, ultimately advancing their careers and achieving their professional goals. 

By embodying Schwarzenegger's principles of resilience, determination, and self-improvement, job hunters and career-minded individuals alike can set their path toward success and start seeing their ‘gains’ alongside a sense of fulfilment. By embracing Schwarzenegger's teachings and applying them to our own lives, we can hone the skills needed to be better equipped to overcome obstacles, seize opportunities, and achieve our dreams. 

Looking to 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!