Be Useful Book Summary - Be Useful Book explained in key points
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Be Useful summary

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Seven Tools for Life

4.4 (376 ratings)
19 mins

Brief summary

Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger is a memoir that emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and serving others in order to live a fulfilling life. It offers practical advice on setting goals, taking risks, and making a positive impact on the world.

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    Be Useful
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    It all starts with a clear vision

    Arnold Schwarzenegger has had quite the journey. He started life in a small Austrian village, eventually rising to global prominence. All this is a testament to the transformative power of his first tool for life: having a clear vision. His story, rich with ambition and resilience, illustrates that a defined vision can combat feelings of lost direction, unhappiness, and worthlessness – and instead instill a sense of purpose, meaning, and direction.

    Growing up amid the simplicity of village life, Arnold would look to vibrant American pop culture for inspiration – images that planted the seeds of his dream to move to the United States. His passion for bodybuilding, fueled by magazine pictures of champions like Reg Park, further clarified his vision: he would conquer the world of bodybuilding to make his American dream a reality.

    Arnold’s advice for cultivating a clear vision is both practical and profound. Start with a broad dream, and hone in on the specifics – your childhood passions are a good reference point. It’s also important to create a mental space for inspiration to strike; activities like walking, reading, and engaging in hobbies provide a great foundation for your clear vision. Visualization, a technique employed by athletes worldwide, is a crucial tool in this process, helping to maintain focus and clarity.

    Self-awareness also plays a central role in Arnold’s philosophy. He urges individuals to regularly reflect on their choices, ensuring they align with their envisioned path. This discipline, he suggests, is what separates the successful from the unsuccessful.

    Now that you’ve established what your vision is, it’s time to define how big it should be. Spoiler alert: the sky’s the limit.

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    What is Be Useful about?

    Be Useful (2023) is an inspirational journey through the life and principles that have propelled Arnold Schwarzenegger to unparalleled heights. It encapsulates the wisdom and tools he developed from a young age to transcend the limitations of his humble beginnings, emphasizing the power of a clear vision, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to being useful. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and practical advice, it encourages others to forge their own paths – highlighting the intrinsic capability within each individual to shape their destiny and make a meaningful impact. 

    Be Useful Review

    Be Useful (2021) by Arnold Schwarzenegger is a book that offers practical guidance on how to make a meaningful impact in the world. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • With its simple yet powerful strategies, it equips readers with the tools to contribute and make a difference in their communities.
    • Sharing personal stories and insights, Schwarzenegger's book provides inspiration and motivation to take action and work towards a greater purpose.
    • The book's emphasis on how to navigate challenges and overcome obstacles makes it engaging and ensures that it never feels dull or tedious.

    Who should read Be Useful?

    • Individuals seeking personal growth and self-improvement
    • Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger who are eager to learn from his experiences
    • Anyone looking for inspiration to persevere and thrive in spite of setbacks

    About the Author

    Arnold Schwarzenegger, celebrated as one of history’s greatest bodybuilders, is also a successful actor with roles in blockbuster franchises like Terminator. His political career culminated in serving two terms as the governor of California, and his literary contributions include the best-selling Total Recall and The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding.

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    Be Useful FAQs 

    What is the main message of Be Useful?

    The main message of Be Useful is about finding fulfillment by contributing to others and making a positive impact.

    How long does it take to read Be Useful?

    The reading time for Be Useful varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Be Useful a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Be Useful is a worthwhile read for those seeking practical advice on finding purpose and making a difference. It offers insightful perspectives and actionable steps.

    Who is the author of Be Useful?

    The author of Be Useful is Arnold Schwarzenegger.

    What to read after Be Useful?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Be Useful, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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    • The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
    • Never Enough by Jennifer Breheny Wallace
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