Be Useful: Seven tools for Life

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life offers a pragmatic roadmap to achieving success and fulfilment, drawn from his incredible journey as a bodybuilder, actor, and politician. The core philosophy, instilled by his father, is to "be useful."

Schwarzenegger distills his experiences into seven actionable "tools." These include having a clear vision for your life, thinking big and ignoring naysayers, and embracing hard work as the undeniable path to achievement.

He emphasises the importance of effective communication to "sell" your vision, and developing resilience to "shift gears" when faced with obstacles, reframing failures as learning opportunities.

Finally, he stresses the power of a growth mindset – staying curious and open to learning – and the profound importance of giving back to others, breaking the "mirror" of self-focus.

Through compelling anecdotes, Schwarzenegger argues that anyone can apply these principles to forge a meaningful and impactful life.

I really enjoyed this no-nonsense approach and there are so many key takeaways to apply to business!