Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s blend of inspirational memoir and practical self-help, outlining seven essential principles—like having a clear vision, working hard, and shifting gears from failure—that he used to achieve extraordinary success in bodybuilding, acting, and politics. The overall message is that true, lasting fulfillment comes not just from achieving personal goals, but from embracing the responsibility to give back and be useful to others in the world. What makes it different is its powerful, no-nonsense voice and the fact that its advice is grounded in Arnold’s unique, multi-act, larger-than-life story, giving the timeless tools a concrete, proven story and context that most self-help books lack.
My main takeaways from the book are:
- Have a Clear Vision — Know exactly what you want your life to look like and have a plan to get there.
- Never Think Small — Go all in on your dreams, refuse to settle, and think huge.
- Work Your Ass Off — There are no shortcuts; success is built on relentless hard work and repetition.
- Sell, Sell, Sell — You must effectively communicate (sell) your vision and ideas for them to take hold.
- Shift Gears — When faced with failure or negativity, reframe it as a positive opportunity and keep moving forward.
- Shut Your Mouth, Open Your Mind — Stay a perpetual student, be curious, and absorb knowledge from everyone and everywhere.
- Break Your Mirrors — Stop focusing only on yourself and look outward to serve others. Giving back is the ultimate path to a meaningful life.