The Tim Ferris Show – #696: Be Useful — Arnold Schwarzenegger on 7 Tools for Life, Thinking Big, Building Resilience, Processing Grief, and More

Intro

In this episode of “The Tim Ferris Show,” Tim Ferris interviews Arnold Schwarzenegger, the world-renowned bodybuilder, actor, businessman, philanthropist, bestselling author, and politician. They discuss Arnold’s new book, “Be Useful,” and delve into topics such as thinking big, building resilience, and overcoming challenges. Arnold also shares his insights on success, entrepreneurship, and the importance of helping others.

Main Takeaways

Tools for Life

• Setting goals and having a vision are important for success.
• Exercise and physical activity can aid in recovery from illness.
• Entrepreneurship can stem from a need or necessity.
• Providing a convenient service can be a successful business idea.
• Making the most of available resources can lead to success.

Building Resilience

• Arnold’s upbringing made him resilient, while his brother appeared more fragile.
• Arnold learned that only through pain, discomfort, and misery can one grow and achieve success.
• Arnold’s father believed in using one’s talents to help others.
• Arnold found father figures in his trainer and the weightlifting club.
• He appreciates his father’s tough love and upbringing, which helped him become a world bodybuilding champion.

Thinking Big

• Thinking big makes you bigger and takes just as much effort.
• Arnold became the youngest Mr. Universe competitor at 19 and the youngest Mr. Olympia ever at 20 because he thought big and didn’t hold back.
• He wanted to be a leading man and get rich and famous, not settle for character roles.
• Arnold built his own ladder to success by working hard, learning English and acting, and making money in real estate before getting into acting.
• Arnold advises people to build their own ladder to success, rather than relying on someone else’s.

Overcoming Challenges

• Shifting gears means being able to adapt to unexpected situations quickly.
• Age can bring physical challenges and vulnerabilities.
• Stretching exercises and discipline can help manage physical challenges.
• Making small lifestyle changes can greatly impact your health and longevity.
• Recognize that you are not a self-made person and have a responsibility to help others.

Summary

Tools for Life

Arnold Schwarzenegger emphasizes the importance of setting goals and having a clear vision for success. He also highlights the role of exercise and physical activity in recovery from illness. Additionally, he shares insights on entrepreneurship and the value of providing convenient services. Arnold encourages individuals to make the most of available resources to achieve success.

Building Resilience

Arnold’s upbringing and tough love from his father made him resilient, while his brother appeared more fragile. He learned that growth and success require embracing pain, discomfort, and misery. Arnold found father figures in his trainer and the weightlifting club, which played a crucial role in his journey to becoming a world bodybuilding champion. He emphasizes the importance of using one’s talents to help others.

Thinking Big

Arnold Schwarzenegger encourages individuals to think big and not hold back. He shares his own experiences of becoming the youngest Mr. Universe competitor and Mr. Olympia ever by having ambitious goals. Arnold advises people to build their own ladder to success, working hard, learning new skills, and seizing opportunities. He emphasizes the importance of not settling for less and striving for greatness.

Overcoming Challenges

Arnold emphasizes the importance of being able to adapt to unexpected situations quickly, or “shifting gears.” He acknowledges that age can bring physical challenges and vulnerabilities, but emphasizes the importance of discipline and stretching exercises to manage them. Arnold encourages individuals to make small lifestyle changes that can greatly impact their health and longevity. He also highlights the responsibility to help others and the importance of recognizing that success is not solely a result of individual effort.

Conclusion

In this episode, Arnold Schwarzenegger shares valuable insights on success, resilience, and overcoming challenges. He emphasizes the importance of setting goals, thinking big, and making the most of available resources. Arnold’s personal experiences serve as inspiration for listeners to embrace discomfort, adapt to unexpected situations, and take responsibility for helping others. His message of resilience and determination resonates with individuals striving for personal and professional growth.