3 Things Schwarzenegger Can Teach You About Success
- Feb 19, 2015
- 4 min read
Arnold Schwarzenegger is best known for his action films in 8o’s and 90’s, but there is a lot more to him than just muscle. Son of a policeman, Arnold grew up in the small town of Thal in Austria.
He remembers growing up without much money. To go to the bathroom he had to go to an outhouse in the back yard.
Despite his humble beginnings, Arnold managed to become a successful entrepreneur, actor and political. He has led an extraordinary life and there are many lessons you can learn from him.
Have a Clear Vision
Arnold started seriously lifting weights when he was 15. Although Arnold was blessed with the right body type for a weight lifter, he became the youngest Mr. Universe at the age of 20 simply by outworking his opponents.
He could outwork them because he knew why he was working so hard, because he had a clear vision of who he wanted to be. If his vision was just to have the biggest muscles he might not have succeeded. But he knew why he wanted to win the Junior Mr. Europe Contest then Mr. Universe.
The why is paramount.
He knew winning these competitions would enable him to immigrate to the United States and to be successful in other areas of his life.
In his words he said, “You always know why you’re training 5 hours a day, you always know why you’re pushing and going through the pain barrier. Why you have to eat more, why you have to struggle more and why you have to be more disciplined.”
By taking time in your day to imagine what success will look like will give you the motivation you need to do the hard work. In Arnold’s case, it was being on stage, hoisting the trophy in the air.
Whether it is winning a competition, writing a best-selling novel or building a business, if you can see, hear and feel what your goal is then everything becomes that much easier.
Be a Chameleon
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a master at reinventing himself. First he was a bodybuilder, then an actor before becoming a politician. Arnold knew each change would require growth and learning. He didn’t allow the past – his humble beginnings – to get in his way.
Arnold knew that with each new challenge he had to build upon his skillset. Becoming an actor took more than muscles. Becoming a politician took more than just memorizing dialogue and some crazy stunts.
He embraced each challenge and conquered it.
He had supreme confidence that he could achieve his goals. Many people were naysayers, making fun of his English, his last name, or even the fact he wasn’t born in America.
Arnold had to wrestle with these insecurities like anybody else but using techniques he learned early in fitness he was able to master himself.
From a very early age he knew the power of attitude and confidence.
As a young boy, Arnold had a strong upper body but his lower body, especially his legs were weak. He decided to only wear shorts so people would laugh at his unproportioned body. He used this as motivation to work on his legs.
Confidence is like anything else and needs to be worked on. For most of us, it isn’t something that comes naturally but is a prerequisite for success. We are so often hung up by our insecurities that it prevents us from moving forward.
We need to curate our attitude and confidence by working on it every day, just like you would work out in the gym.
Don’t Follow the Crowd
As a young actor, Arnold knew he wasn’t like the other actors he hung out with. For starters, he had a unique look that would only work in a certain type of film.
While the other actors struggled for the same roles, Arnold didn’t audition. He had to be patient and show the producers he could be in the film business.
But how was he to make money while he waited for his big break?
Instead of supplementing parts with commercials or small parts, he started a brick laying business with a friend and then a mail order fitness and supplement business. On top of that he invested in real estate and became a millionaire before he made it in film.
Do not go where it is congested. Following others will only lead to obscurity and nobody becomes successful by being obscure. Be a trail blazer; use your own unique talents to break away from the crowd.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is successful not because of his muscles or his acting talent or his ability to persuade people. He is successful because he has the right mindset.
A successful mindset isn’t something that you all of a sudden wake up with, but is something that you actively work on through visualization, communication and writing.
If you do these three things then you’ll gain the confidence and attitude it takes to achieve your dreams
Joel Mark Harris is a Canadian writer, producer and journalist. (@joelmarkharris) He is the proud founder of Scene2Studio and you can download for FREE his award-winning thriller novel A Thousand Bayonets HERE
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