Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story

by Arnold Schwarzenegger

After that, I never went to a competition to compete. I went to win. Even though I didn’t win every time, that was my mind-set. I became a total animal. If you tuned into my thoughts before a competition, you would hear something like: “I deserve that pedestal, I own it, and the sea ought to part for me. Just get out of the fucking way, I’m on a mission. So just step aside and gimme the trophy.” I pictured myself high up on the pedestal, trophy in hand. Everyone else would be standing below. And I would look down.

To be successful, however, you must be brutal with yourself and focus on the flaws.

My definition of living is to have excitement always; that’s the difference between living and existing.

People were always talking about how few performers there are at the top of the ladder, but I was always convinced there was room for one more. I felt that, because there was so little room, people got intimidated and felt more comfortable staying on the bottom of the ladder. But, in fact, the more people that think that, the more crowded the bottom of the ladder becomes! Don’t go where it’s crowded. Go where it’s empty. Even though it’s harder to get there, that’s where you belong and where there’s less competition.

I always feel that if I can see it and believe it, then I can achieve it.

From the bodybuilding days on, I learned that everything is reps and mileage. The more miles you ski, the better a skier you become; the more reps you do, the better your body. I’m a big believer in hard work, grinding it out, and not stopping until it’s done, so the challenge appealed to me.

“Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell, and advertise.”

have a vision, trust yourself, break some rules, ignore the naysayers, don’t be afraid to fail.

Turn your liabilities into assets.

When someone tells you no, you should hear yes.

Never follow the crowd. Go where it’s empty.

No matter what you do in life, selling is part of it.

Never let pride get in your way.

The more knowledge you have, the more you’re free to rely on your instincts.

Forget plan B.

If you’re anxious, instead of making fallback plans, think about the worst that can happen if you fail. How bad would it be? You quickly find out it’s really nothing.

You can use outrageous humor to settle a score.

The day has twenty-four hours.

Reps, reps, reps.

Change takes big balls.

Take care of your body and your mind.

Stay hungry.

“Be useful. Do something.”