Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life (Arnold Schwarzenegger)
Arnold is a three episode TV series on Netflix with Schwarzenegger narrating his life story. The first part is his growing up in rural Austria and starting his bodybuilding journey. The second is his life in California and making movies. The last episode is about his time as governor of California and his discussing the good and the bad in his life and some regrets. I did not know he was such a philanthropist supporting children’s health and well being. He maintained a positive attitude through many adversities.
This book is a tribute to his father, although they had a poor relationship, who alway admonished him to be useful, like chopping firewood or helping out around the house instead of lifting weights. He presents seven ways to be useful in your own life drawn upon his own experience and shortcomings such as little command of English, a heavy accent, no money or family support when he came to America.
I think we can all learn something from this and the suggestions are practical and can be adapted by everyone. His mantra seems to me, to be, work very hard in what you do but have a good time too.
- Have a clear vision: I think there are two ways to do it. You can start small and build out until a big, clear picture reveals itself to you. Or you can start very broad and then, like the lens on a camera, zoom in until a clear picture snaps into focus.Only you can create the life that you seek. Having this vision gives us a purpose and meaning. Keep striving to reach your goals and avoid bad decisions. When you are starting out, things can be hard, but what is harder is living a life you hate. Visualize what you want to be.
- Never think small: Wenn Schon, Denn Schon (translated as “if you are going to do something, do it, go all out:) Learn well whatever trade you choose and be an asset to your community. Ignore the naysayers or use them-just don’t believe them. Don’t worry about a plan B. Thinking big and being successful does something to us in our future pursuits. Give yourself permission to think big.
- Work your ass off: you’ll appreciate your effort when you work hard for something. Look down the road and be ready when a crisis arrives. When you are practicing, always learn how to do so in the proper form. You have to do the boring practice work so when the hard things present themselves you can react as if its second nature. You’ll find yourself out of your comfort zone sometimes. Sometimes things are going to cause you mental and/or physical pain, but it can build character. Follow up is important to get things really done. If it matters to you make the time.
- Sell, sell, sell – you have to promote yourself. Know who your customer is and begin to understand them. See how the world around you reacts to what you are trying to do. Who will say yes to you? See, believe, achieve also needs something else, Explain. People need to understand what you are selling. You can let people underestimate you and then blow them away by overdelivering. Nothing sells better than a true story from a genuine person.
- Shift gears: No complaining about something unless you are prepared to make it better. It can’t be that bad if it hasn’t motivated you to fix it. You’ll have to get better at changing how you look at things and find the positive, no matter what. Focusing on the negative is a waste of time. Work to thrive instead. Find joy in what you do. While we can’t alway control what happens to us, we can certainly control how we feel or react to the situation. Don’t allow your dream to be sucked out of you. Catch yourself before negativity overwhelms and look for the good. What can you learn from this? Reframe failure. Remember his line from Terminator? “I’ll be back”. You can’t fail when you don’t try. Failure is not fatal. Giving up is. Risk is the rating we independently give to a situation judging it’s potential for success or failure.
- Shut your mouth and open your mind: maintain your interest in learning and having an open mind. Train your mind as well as your body. Always be curious. Listen and look more than you talk. Let the world and it’s wonders be your classroom. Universities are ok but not required to be a Renaissance man or woman. You can learn a lot on your own and from others. Associate with others of like mind who want to learn. When you talk you are only repeating what you know, but if you listen you may learn something new. Be a mental sponge and ask how and why.
- Break your mirrors. You did not get to where you are by yourself. All of us had help and guidance along the way. It’s important to give back and help others. Pay it forward. Be useful. It will change your life and the life of others. Look at what others need and give what you are able to help them along. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts. Be selfless and help others have a better life. It only requires awareness, willingness and some effort. You have more to offer than you know and you might find you are addicted to doing this. It can become and end in and of itself. Giving back to others releases the feel good hormones in our bodies. Breaking glass means don’t be so self-absorbed. Look less at yourself and more at each other.
A final thought… you are not self-made. Think of all those along your journey who offered a hand. Can you do the same for others? Things in life don’t always go the way you want, but that’s no reason to stop trying or not being grateful for the good things you do have.