I know what you’re thinking. Another cheesy listicle on success.
Steve, you’re gonna tell me all I have to do is follow these six rules of success penned by Arnold Schwarzenegger and I’ll be happy happy happy?
I’m not gonna tell you a damn thing. Other than to say it’s worked quite well for the The Terminator.
Schwarzenegger is a successful (net worth post-divorce from the beautiful Maria Shriver, is $200M) Austrian-born American actor, film producer, activist, businessman, investor, writer, philanthropist, former professional bodybuilder and politician.
He’s doing something right!
Like you, I’ve read many, possibly hundreds of articles on what it takes to be a success. I’ve discovered, the common denominator running through most of them is good old fashioned common sense.
I give you Ahnold’s six rules for success:
Trust Yourself
This one is not easy. Most people, including me until 10 years ago when I became a coach, are walking around in a costume, trying to be something they’re not.
Why? Most believe they can’t go after and achieve their life long dreams. Fulfilling their dreams only happens to other people like Herman and Candelaria Zapp, but not them.
Then there comes a moment when you realize, time is precious. You’ll reach a tipping point and say the hell with it. This is who you want to become and you’re going to go after what you want and nobody or nothing will stop you.
Break some rules
Ahnold isn’t suggesting you break the law or engage in unethical behavior. He’s saying just because things have been done a certain way for a long period of time doesn’t mean you can’t challenge the status quo.
Preconceived notions that existing parameters are written in stone is a myth. There’s always another way to get where you want to go quicker. The most successful people get creative and blaze a new path.
If your circumstances aren’t feeding who you want to become, create better circumstances.
Don’t be afraid to fail
I say to clients, the first one to make 5,000 mistakes wins. It’s true! If you’re not making failures, you’re not taking enough chances.
Sir James Dyson went through 5,126 prototypes before perfecting his bagless vacuum cleaner. With each iteration of the model, Dyson’s engineers learned something new.
Afraid of making a faux pas? Ask yourself, in five years, will anyone remember this mistake? Probably not.
Ignore the naysayers
People place limits on their possibilities. Closed minders get uncomfortable when anyone in their circle of influence dreams the uncommon. Naysayers are jealous. They’d rather you stay in their land of status quo.
Naysayers are the oxygen of the person who thinks outside the box. Doubters fuel the drive and passion for those who dare to dream in the land of potentiality.
The forward thinker also knows these naysayers will always be lurking. It’s all part of the deal. You need to prove them wrong.
Work like hell
When you love what you do, it’s not work, it’s play.
About 75% of the workforce are disengaged with their jobs. This means they don’t want to be there. I was one of them. Thank God I discovered the world of coaching.
When you love what you do, you’ll enjoy playing endless hours at your craft.
Give something back
You can’t help everyone though you can always help someone.
I’m sure you’ve been told if you volunteer for a great cause you’ll be paid back ten-fold in unsuspecting ways. I’ve experienced it.
About 14 years ago I caught the volunteer bug. It started with helping out with Special Olympics, American Cancer Society, Rescue Mission, and the Baldwinsville Theatre Guild.
I’ve received so much more than I’ve given. Grateful I had the chance to give back.
At a an early age, Arnold Schwarzenegger had a crystallized vision of who he wanted to become. This powerful picture of Ahnold’s who is the genesis of his Six Rules of Success.
Reading this list isn’t enough! You’ve got to put what you’ve learned into action on a consistent basis.
What part of Ahnold’s listicle will you start to apply this week?
Please subscribe, hit the share button, or forward to a friend.
Have a great week!
Photo by Zero Emission Resource Organization.
I think I might have just a tichy too much info on this to be fully game on… I agree 1000% with all your points to his success. I worry a bit about their partnership and how they both showed up there. Namaste.
I have no idea what you’re talking about Karin. Please say more.