Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life
Brought to you by Penguin. The seven rules to follow to realise your true purpose in life distilled by Arnold Schwarzenegger from his own journey of ceaseless reinvention and extraordinary achievement, and available for absolutely anyone. The world's greatest bodybuilder. The world's highest paid movie star. The leader of the world's sixth largest economy. That these are the same person sounds like the setup to a joke. But this is no joke. This is Arnold Schwarzenegger. And this did not happen by accident. Arnold's stratospheric success happened as part of a process. As the result of clear vision, big thinking, hard work, direct communication, resilient problem-solving, open-minded curiosity, and a commitment to giving back. All of it guided by the one lesson Arnold's father hammered into him above all: be useful. As Arnold conquered every realm he entered, he kept his father's adage close to his heart. Written with his uniquely earnest, blunt, powerful voice, BE USEFUL takes readers on an inspirational tour through Arnold's toolkit for a meaningful life. Arnold shows us how to put those tools to work, in service of whatever fulfilling future we can dream up for ourselves. He brings his insights to vivid life with compelling personal stories, life-changing successes and life-threatening failures alike--some of them famous, some told here for the first time ever. Too many of us struggle to disconnect from our self-pity and connect to our purpose. At an early age, Arnold forged the mental tools to build the ladder out of the poverty and narrow-mindedness of his rural Austrian hometown, tools he used to add rung after rung from there. Now he has shared that wisdom with all of us. As he puts it, no one is going to come rescue you - you only have yourself. The good news, it turns out, is that you are all you need.
From Austrian Oak to Life Coach
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a man of many hats. He's been a bodybuilder, an actor, a politician, and a businessman. But through it all, he's always been one thing: useful.
In his new book, Be Useful, Schwarzenegger shares the seven tools that have helped him achieve success in every area of his life. These tools are:
- Vision: Know what you want and don't let anyone tell you it's impossible.
- Big Thinking: Dream big and don't be afraid to take risks.
- Hard Work: There's no substitute for hard work.
- Direct Communication: Say what you mean and mean what you say.
- Resilient Problem-Solving: Don't give up when things get tough.
- Open-Minded Curiosity: Be willing to learn new things and adapt to change.
- Giving Back: Use your success to help others.
Schwarzenegger's book is full of inspiring stories from his own life. He talks about how he used these tools to overcome challenges, achieve his goals, and make a difference in the world.
What I liked about the book
- It's practical: Schwarzenegger's tools are actionable and can be used by anyone, regardless of their background or goals.
- It's inspiring: Schwarzenegger's story is one of overcoming adversity and achieving great things.
- It's honest: Schwarzenegger doesn't shy away from talking about his failures.
- It's motivating: Schwarzenegger's book will make you want to get out there and make a difference in the world.
What I didn't like about the book
- It can be a bit self-promotional: Schwarzenegger does talk about his own successes quite a bit.
- It's not for everyone: Some people may find Schwarzenegger's style a bit too blunt or brash.
Overall, I thought Be Useful was a great book. It's full of practical advice, inspiring stories, and honest insights. If you're looking for a book that will motivate you to achieve your goals, this is the book for you.
I would recommend this book to:
- Anyone who is looking for inspiration and motivation
- Anyone who is interested in self-improvement
- Anyone who is a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger
I would not recommend this book to:
- People who are easily offended
- People who don't like self-help books
- People who are not interested in Arnold Schwarzenegger
I hope this review has been helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Disclaimer: I am not a professional book reviewer. This review is based on my own personal opinions and experiences.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bodybuilder, Actor, Businessman, Philanthropist, Bestselling author, and Public Servant 
From Bodybuilding Icon to Hollywood Star and Political Leader
Early Life:
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger was born on July 30, 1947, in Thal, Styria, Austria. From an early age, he exhibited a passion for athletics, particularly bodybuilding. Influenced by his father, a local police chief, and inspired by bodybuilding idols like Reg Park, Schwarzenegger began weight training at the age of 15. His dedication to the sport led him to win the title of Mr. Olympia at the age of 23, marking the beginning of a legendary career.
Bodybuilding Triumphs:
Arnold Schwarzenegger's dominance in bodybuilding is unparalleled. He won the Mr. Olympia title a remarkable seven times, from 1970 to 1975 and again in 1980. His sculpted physique and charismatic presence on stage made him an international icon in the fitness world. Schwarzenegger's approach to bodybuilding, emphasizing symmetry and aesthetics, revolutionized the sport and set new standards for aspiring athletes.
Transition to Acting:
In the late 1960s, Schwarzenegger emigrated to the United States with aspirations beyond bodybuilding. His towering physique and distinctive accent initially presented challenges, but he overcame them through determination and charisma. He made his acting debut in the film "Hercules in New York" (1970) and gained widespread recognition with his role in "Pumping Iron" (1977), a documentary about the world of bodybuilding.
The breakthrough came with the film "Conan the Barbarian" (1982), where Schwarzenegger's imposing presence and action-hero persona captured audience attention. This marked the beginning of a successful acting career, with iconic roles in films like "The Terminator" series, "Predator," "Total Recall," and "Kindergarten Cop."
Hollywood Superstardom:
Arnold Schwarzenegger became a Hollywood superstar during the 1980s and 1990s, known for his roles in blockbuster action films. His unique blend of strength, charisma, and humor made him a sought-after leading man. "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991) remains one of his most iconic performances, and the catchphrase "I'll be back" is indelibly associated with him.
Political Career:
In a surprising turn of events, Schwarzenegger entered politics. A member of the Republican Party, he successfully ran for the position of Governor of California, serving two terms from 2003 to 2011. His tenure focused on issues such as the economy, infrastructure, and the environment. Schwarzenegger's political journey demonstrated his ability to transition from the world of entertainment to public service.
Post-Gubernatorial Activities:
Following his political career, Schwarzenegger returned to the entertainment industry. He resumed acting, with appearances in films like "The Expendables" series and "Terminator Genisys." Additionally, he hosted "The Celebrity Apprentice." Outside of entertainment, Schwarzenegger has been actively involved in philanthropy, business ventures, and environmental advocacy.
Personal Life:
Arnold Schwarzenegger's personal life has been the subject of public interest. He was married to Maria Shriver, a member of the Kennedy family, from 1986 to 2011. The couple has four children. In 2011, Schwarzenegger publicly acknowledged having fathered a child with a member of his household staff, leading to the dissolution of his marriage.
Legacy:
Arnold Schwarzenegger's legacy is multifaceted. He is remembered as a bodybuilding pioneer, action movie icon, and a political figure who transitioned from the silver screen to public service. His impact on popular culture, fitness, and entertainment remains enduring, and his journey from a small Austrian town to international stardom reflects the embodiment of the American Dream.
His book is very motivational, but he also writes about his personal experiences before he came to America, the process of getting here, and his life after getting here to pursue the American dream. Arnold is a real go-getter and an extremely hard worker. I wish I had even an ounce of his energy. He knew and knows what he wants and he works hard to get it. He’s a total believer in visualizing what he wants, but he also does the work to see those dreams come true, and he stresses that the latter is just as important as the dreaming.
Arnold is a very positive and optimistic person, but he hasn’t been without his struggles. He talks about them, what he did to work through them, and what he learned from them. He really cares about people, and his life has been about how he can serve others and what he can do to help people. He puts his money where his mouth is and has been fortunate in that he could pay for many of his endeavors himself.
Arnold wrote about his experiences as governor, as well. He really tried to work across the aisle and had both Democrats and republicans in his administration. He worked hard to try to do what was best for the people of California. (I know there are those who didn’t agree with some of the things he did, mostly because of party differences, but what you can’t say is that he didn’t work hard to find solutions and to get the job done.)
Arnold is a great example of what is possible for everyone who dreams and works hard enough towards those dreams. But I would like to add that it may be possible, but not always probable depending on someone’s circumstances. Some can overcome the most horrific experiences and succeed, and yet there are many whose experiences completely devastated them and they gave up hope. Reading this book made me feel really encouraged to keep trying. To keep working towards those dreams. And if I can’t, I can still serve people by committing small acts of kindness wherever and whenever I can. We all don’t have to do and be big. We all have a different purpose. Therefore, no one reading this book should feel discouraged or like they don’t matter just because they can’t do what Arnold did. We can take baby steps and just do what we can when we can.
I would highly recommend reading. It was well worth it, and I’ll probably read again and again.
And I'll just quote what he said after watching Arnold's latest documentary because this is exactly what reading this book made me feel. "Be useful, he said. This is what drives me every day too. I know Schwarzi isn't perfect. But who is? And who are we to judge him anyway? None of us have walked in his gigantic shoes, and none of us will ever know the temptations he faced in his life. All I know is that this man is my biggest inspiration despite doing some things I wouldn't do. He is the wolf on top of the hill, and when he wants food, he's thear (his immitation of Arnold's there). And he always wants food because he knows how to stay hungry. I still don't understand why he isn't the USA president."
Obviously, me and my BF are not from the USA. We are from Slovenia, the southern neighbour of Arnold's Austria. But I have to wonder how the USA and the world would look like if Arnold was the president. He is strong and confident and has every right to be proud of everything he achieved. Yet he gives the credit to people who helped to shape him into who he is. He is also trying to give back and share his wisdom with others. I am very grateful to be able to enter the mind of this great man by simply reading this book. It even made me pumped enough to go and do my squats now, which is what I HATE to do.
