Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-born bodybuilder, actor, businessman, philanthropist, bestselling author, and politician, shares his journey from a strict upbringing to becoming the governor of California. He discusses the importance of resilience, changing life trajectory, and finding genuine happiness. Arnold emphasizes the significance of having a clear vision, making compromises, and looking beyond conventional markets. He also talks about the challenges of balancing power and family life, bringing Democrats and Republicans together, and his new book 'Be Useful, Seven Tools for Life.'
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Quick takeaways
Having a clear vision and visualizing goals is crucial for achieving success.
Avoid distractions and naysayers by maintaining a single-minded focus with no backup plan.
Balancing professional and family life requires compromise and making time for loved ones.
Believing in oneself and having complete dedication are key to achieving goals.
The art of selling revolves around believing in the product and effectively communicating its value.
Deep dives
The Power of Visualization and Having a Clear Vision
Arnold Schwarzenegger emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision and visualizing one's goals. He recalls how, at a young age, he visualized becoming Mr. Austria, then Mr. Universe, and eventually the greatest bodybuilder of all time. He believes that having a clear vision propels one to work towards their goals with passion and drive. Schwarzenegger also stresses the need to avoid distractions and not listen to naysayers who discourage dreams. By having a single-minded focus and no plan B, he was able to channel all his energy into achieving his goals.
Embracing Sacrifices and Making Choices
Schwarzenegger shares the sacrifices he had to make throughout his journey. He discusses the sacrifices made during his bodybuilding career, such as dedicating countless hours of intense training and strict discipline. He also speaks about the sacrifices and balancing act required when he became involved in politics, where he had to prioritize between his work as governor and the needs of his family. Despite these sacrifices, Schwarzenegger believes that, when driven by a clear vision and purpose, sacrifices do not feel like burdens but necessary steps towards achieving success.
Belief in Oneself and Avoiding Plan B
Arnold Schwarzenegger emphasizes the importance of self-belief and avoiding the option of a plan B. He shares that believing in oneself and having confidence in one's abilities is crucial to success. Schwarzenegger advises against creating backup plans or safety nets, as they can lead to doubt and distractions. By not having a plan B, individuals maintain their focus and push themselves to their limits in pursuit of their goals. He believes that true commitment to one's vision requires complete dedication and unwavering determination.
Prioritizing Family and Making Compromises
Arnold Schwarzenegger reflects on the challenges of maintaining a balance between his professional and family life. He shares how he dealt with the sacrifices he had to make as a parent and spouse while serving as governor. Schwarzenegger emphasizes the importance of compromise and finding ways to be present for his children's important moments. By adjusting his schedule and making time for his family, he aimed to ensure that his kids didn't feel neglected or deprived of his love and support. He acknowledges the role his wife played in shouldering responsibilities and enabling him to fulfill his public duties while maintaining a strong family bond.
The Power of Selling and Communicating
Arnold Schwarzenegger discusses the importance of selling and communicating in various aspects of life, from promoting movies to running for political office. He emphasizes the need to believe in the product or message being sold and to genuinely connect with the audience. He shares personal stories of his experiences in sales, such as observing a salesman focus on meeting the needs of the customer's spouse to make a successful sale. Schwarzenegger also highlights the significance of promoting oneself and constantly seeking new opportunities for growth and impact.
Living a Life of Multiple Lenses
Arnold Schwarzenegger reflects on the privilege of living a multifaceted life, from being an athlete to an actor to a politician. He emphasizes the importance of learning from various fields and experiences, as well as the joy of constantly exploring new challenges. Schwarzenegger shares stories of meeting and learning from notable figures across industries and the valuable lessons he gained from those interactions. He also discusses the importance of giving back to the community and using one's influence and resources to make a positive impact.
Lessons on Selling and Focusing on One Goal at a Time
Arnold Schwarzenegger shares valuable lessons on the art of selling, drawing from his own experiences in sales and promotions. He emphasizes the importance of believing in the product or message being sold and effectively communicating its value to others. Schwarzenegger also highlights the importance of focusing on one goal at a time and approaching it with a step-by-step mindset. He shares anecdotes about his journey in show business, emphasizing the need to break down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps.
Reflection on Personal Success and Failure
Arnold Schwarzenegger reflects on his personal successes and failures. He considers his ability to turn his visions into reality and the incredible opportunities and experiences he has had in his multifaceted life. Schwarzenegger also acknowledges personal failures, particularly in the realm of marriage, and highlights the importance of learning and growing from mistakes. He emphasizes the significance of accepting failures as part of the journey and using them as opportunities for growth and resilience.
Working Towards Environmental Change
Arnold Schwarzenegger discusses the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels and embracing alternative energy sources. He highlights the devastating effects of pollution on human health and advocates for strong environmental policies. Schwarzenegger shares his personal journey towards embracing plant-based eating and reducing meat consumption for both health and environmental reasons. He emphasizes the need for collective action and legislation to drive positive change and create a sustainable future.
What’s stopping you from turning your visions into reality?
This is a question that many struggle with and we often spend most of our time finding the answers.
Today, we are happy to welcome Austrian-born bodybuilder, actor, businessman, philanthropist, bestselling author, and politician, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Arnold served as the thirty-eighth governor of California and his new book, Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life, takes readers on an inspirational tour through Arnold’s tool kit for a meaningful life.
We will explore Arnold's early years, growing up with a strict father and his deep yearning for genuine conversations. His experiences in the military taught him invaluable life lessons that would shape his path to success. Arnold shares the pivotal moment when he first arrived in the United States, igniting his passion for bodybuilding, a journey that would ultimately define his legacy.
As the conversation deepens, he emphasizes the importance of creating our own paths to happiness and challenges the notion of sacrifice when you truly love what you do. He highlights the significance of having a clear vision for our goals and how compromise plays a vital role in maintaining family unity. Arnold's insights on the art of selling and looking beyond conventional markets shed light on his extraordinary success.
In this interview, you'll learn:
How to be resilient in the most difficult situations
How to change the trajectory of your life
How to be genuinely happy and content
The importance of allotting time for your family
How to effectively sell your product
How to breakthrough any market
His journey serves as a testament to the idea that every accomplishment unveils a new purpose, driving us to explore our next chapter in life and an inspiration to us all to reach for greatness and share our stories with the world.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
01:06 Growing Up with a Strict Father
07:24 How the Military Shaped Me
10:54 Discovering America on My Bodybuilding Quest
17:05 How I Kicked Off My Bodybuilding Journey
23:57 Creating Your Path to Happiness
31:37 Is It Sacrifice If You Love What You Do?
45:26 How to Set Clear Goals and Achieve Your Dreams
49:50 How Compromise Saved Our Family
54:53 Shifting Your Sales Focus to Real Customers, Real Result
01:10:07 Expanding Your Reach Beyond Big Markets
01:15:54 How Arnold Turned Goals into Achievements
01:21:11 Why You're Never Truly Self-Made
01:25:31 Arnold Schwarzenegger on Final Five
01:28:27 Discovering New Purpose Through Achievements
01:32:50 Arnold's Public Speaking on His Success
01:41:24 Finding Calm Amidst Chaos with Meditation
