What many saw as a barrier, Arnold transformed into an asset.
After conquering the bodybuilding world, Schwarzenegger set his sights on a career in Hollywood. Despite initial reservations about his Austrian accent, he found that, for certain roles, it could be the secret to his success.
“When I did ‘Terminator,’ Jim Cameron said, ‘What made Terminator work and why it became successful is because Schwarzenegger talks like a machine,'” the actor explained.
Arnold knew he had the potential to chase bigger goals and later decided to pursue a career in politics, serving as the 38th governor of California.
Starting as an immigrant who didn’t speak English, he could have let the language barrier deter him from pursuing his big dreams. Instead, he used it as motivation to offer more.
While language might have discouraged others from hiring him, those who saw his potential allowed him to shine as a movie star and politician.
His accomplishments, unwavering determination, and the opportunities provided pushed him to greater heights.
By focusing on strengths instead of perceived weaknesses, we can also extract the best from ourselves and those around us.
So, here are Schwarzenegger’s six rules for success:
“1. Trust yourself;
2. Break some rules;
3. Don’t be afraid to fail;
4. Ignore the naysayers;
5. Work like hell;
6. Give something back.”
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from Arnold’s remarkable journey?