Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life by Arnold Schwarzenegger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
“Failure is not fatal.”
“Busyness is bullshit.”
Be Useful is another book in the grand tradition of bettering oneself. However, this one is written by a former governor, former bodybuilding champion, and a great action/movie star. That’s right, Arnold Schwarzenegger has put together a book about his seven tools for living life. The book is broken down into these seven tools and then broken down and discussed in even greater detail. He throws in his personal experiences from throughout his entire life. He was born and grew up in Austria and then made it to the United States where he rose to the top of bodybuilding. He then became an action and movie star which then led to him becoming governor of one of the largest economies in the world. Arnold prides himself now on giving back in any way he possibly can.
In general, this book doesn’t say anything new. It is the same thing we have heard from multiple sources and for years. In the beginning, it starts where books usually start, with the clear vision suggestion. This is par for the course and one that has perpetually frustrated me whenever I read these types of books. This is a usual first stop with many self-help books but they never really go into how you get your vision. How does one figure out what their vision is? What kind of questions should they ask themselves? What exercises should they work on? Should you sit in a quiet room and just think or go out and just try everything until you find something? This is a major failing of so many books in this genre and one that the author continues in. It then continues with thinking big and don’t let failure deter you as well as other well-known suggestions. This book uses familiar ideas like pain being temporary and struggle is part of the game but there are several quotes (some attributed to others) that I liked. In relation to your goals and going for them, “if you’re going to do, do it.” Basically, the adage of shoot for the moon because even if you miss, you’ll be amongst the stars. “Your work to make a dream come true, you don’t whine it into existence” and “To do great things that last, sacrifices are necessary.” The one thing that I liked about this book and what sets it apart from others is the anecdotes and stories that Arnold is able to tell. He has a unique story and brings a lot of that to highlight and solidify his advice. He can tie real world examples in which help make it entertaining as well as believable. It draws you in more and creates a better narrative. It was a quick and easy read. Some things will stay with me but to me it wasn’t revolutionary. Let me leave you with this, “when it comes to achieving your vision, it isn’t failure you have to worry about, it’s giving up.”
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