💡8 Lessons from Arnold Schwarzenegger

Eight powerful takeaways from how a kid from the Austrian hinterland conquered America.

Did you know that Arnold was already a real estate millionaire before he got into the movie business?

Or that he married into the Kennedy family, popularized cigars in the US, and helped bring the Hummer to the mainstream car market?

Maybe you’re thinking “Yeah, Jim, I already watched the documentary”.

If you haven’t, don’t worry, you can still enjoy it after reading.

I would like to share with you my top 8 takeaways from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s rise to the top of bodybuilding, Hollywood, and American politics, and how we can use them in our own life.

1. “Is-This-All-There-Is” Syndrome only happens if you stop challenging yourself with new adventures. When you replace that question with, “where can I aim next that will excite and challenge me?”, you reignite your passion and purpose again.

2. Have a big, exciting vision for your life and you won’t get stopped by unexpected obstacles along the way. When Arnold lost competitions or had movies bomb, his vision kept him energized to bounce back faster.

3. Focusing on your goal makes you worthy of it, not the other way around. Spending our energy wondering if we’re good enough is better used working to become good enough.

4. Spend time with people who are excited for the next version of you, not attached to the current you. Are you around people where excellence is the goal, or where excellence is the expectation? Big difference.

5. You’re never starting from zero, you always have skills to leverage in new spaces. People thought Arnold’s body and accent wouldn’t fit in Hollywood. Instead, he used those to become a character no one else in the world could play: The Terminator.

6. Reaching the top is great, but finding a competitive enemy to beat on the way up is even better. Arnold attributed his success in movies to his desire to outdo fellow action star Sylvester Stallone. Always have a worthy adversary.

7. If you are driven by hunger rather than satiation, you never stop growing. The joy of success comes and goes quickly, Arnold knew that enjoying the pursuit of success is how you stay driven.

8. Turn the reasons why you can’t do something into exactly why you should. No time? This will teach you how to prioritize and get more creative with time. No money? This will teach you how to earn more. The obstacle is the way.

The Bottom Line

Don’t just watch movies, read books, or chat with people.

Seek out the lessons from their stories, listen for nuggets of wisdom to feed your mind.

There are inspiring examples of success all around us if we look for them.

My challenge for you this week is to pick the takeaway that resonates with you the most, and implement it in your life.

Need a worthy adversary? Haven’t written an exciting vision statement? Make a commitment to yourself from one of these and write it down.

That’s all for now my fellow adventurer.

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Complementary Call

If you’re craving an adventure in your own life, be it related to health, career, or relationships, I’m offering complementary calls so you can get clear on your next steps. Grab a slot —> here.  

Recommended Video

1. Arnold shares how to have a VISION for your life, and why that makes all the hard work along the way FUN. —> Video

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Keep living your Great Adventure.

Jim Wall