Extraordinary Life Lessons From Arnold Schwarzenegger

What can we learn from Former Mr. Olympia, Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Let us first point out the Titles he won through out his career.

1965 Jr. Mr. Europe (Germany)
1966 Best Build Man of Europe (Germany)
1966 Mr. Europe (Germany)
1966 International Powerlifting Championship (Germany)
1967 NABBA Mr. Universe, amateur (London)
1968 NABBA Mr. Universe, professional (London)
1968 German Powerlifting Championship
1968 IFBB Mr. International (Mexico)
1969 IFBB Mr. Universe, amateur (New York)
1969 NABBA Mr. Universe, professional (London)
1970 NABBA Mr. Universe, professional (London)
1970 Mr. World (Columbus, Ohio)
1970 IFBB Mr. Olympia (New York)
1971 IFBB Mr. Olympia (Paris)
1972 IFBB Mr. Olympia (Essen, Germany)
1973 IFBB Mr. Olympia (New York)
1974 IFBB Mr. Olympia (New York)
1975 IFBB Mr. Olympia (Pretoria, South Africa)

Extraordinary Life Lessons From Arnold Schwarzenegger

Here are a few highlighted points from his Autobiography:

1. I’d discovered exactly what I wanted to do with my life.

2. I would be the best bodybuilder in the world, the greatest, the best-built man.

3. But I had it tougher than a lot of my teammates and companions because I wanted more, I demanded more of myself.

4. I remember certain people trying to put negative thoughts into my mind, trying to persuade me to slow down. But I had found my thing to which I wanted to devote my total energies and there was no stopping me. My drive was unusual, I talked differently than my friends; I was hungrier for success than anyone I knew.

5. I turned even negative responses to my own satisfaction.

6. The secret is contained in a three-part formula I learned in the gym: self confidence, a positive mental attitude, and honest hard work.

7. I was always honest about my weak points. This helped me grow. I think it’s the key to success in everything: be honest; know where you are weak; admit it.

8. In my own mind, I was Mr. Universe; I had this absolutely clear vision of myself up on the dais with the trophy. It was only a matter of time that the world would be able to see it too. And it made no difference to me how much I had to struggle to get there.

9. What I had more than anyone else was drive. I was hungrier than anybody. I wanted it so badly it hurt. I knew there could be no one else in the world who wanted this title as much as I did.

10. I think that when you’re almost up to the top, but not quite there, it’s easy to be carried with what you imagine to be your own importance.

11. I always had a positive attitude about going to the top.

12. All my energies, both psychic and physical, were focused on one thing: becoming Mr. Universe.

13. I’d close my eyes and think about how I was going to look up there. I would visualize it and try to mold it together.

14. Each night before I went to sleep I thought, “The better you pose, Arnold, the more it will look as though you are really in charge of yourself. You can handle yourself. You are confident. You are good. The better poser you are, the fewer facial expressions you will make. Keep your face relaxed. Your face will show that you are a winner. You are a winner, Arnold.” I wrote this down and put it where I would see it. I repeated it a dozen times a day.

15. I had won the Mr. Universe title in my mind. My imagination was primed, my body ready. I was working to create the greatest, and most perfect body anybody had ever seen.

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

“The worst thing I can be is the same as everybody else. I hate that.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

SEE ALSO:

5 Valuable Life Lessons From Abraham Lincoln