Be UsefulSynopsis: “The world’s greatest bodybuilder. The world’s highest paid movie star. The leader of the world’s sixth largest economy. That these are the same person sounds like the setup to a joke. But this is no joke. This is Arnold Schwarzenegger. And this did not happen by accident. Schwarzenegger’s stratospheric success happened as part of a process. As the result of clear vision, big thinking, hard work, direct communication, resilient problem-solving, open-minded curiosity and a commitment to giving back. All of it guided by the one lesson Arnold’s father hammered into him above all: be useful. As Schwarzenegger conquered every realm he entered, he kept his father’s adage close to his heart. Written with his uniquely earnest, blunt, powerful voice, Be Useful takes listeners on an inspirational tour through Schwarzenegger’s toolkit for a meaningful life. He shows us how to put those tools to work, in service of whatever fulfilling future we can dream up for ourselves. He brings his insights to vivid life with compelling personal stories, life-changing successes and life-threatening failures alike – some of them famous, some told here for the first time ever.”

My Review

I loved this audiobook and I’m so glad it was available via the library’s BorrowBox app. I do like Arnie and even though I’d watched his documentary on Netflix I still learnt more about him.

This is such a positive book that I couldn’t help getting caught up in his passion and excitement about having a vision for life. About getting stuck and keeping going, especially if you fail. I really wish I’d had a project in mind whilst listening as he would definitely get me started and keep me going with all his encouragement and hard truths in this book!

He likened a lot of things in life to his time as a bodybuilder. I’ve never been interested in that part of his life, but his analogies were perfect. I especially loved his chapter about giving back through volunteering, an aspect of his life that he loves being involved in.

I’m so glad he read this himself as I can’t imagine anyone else reading his words!

I’m very tempted to get my own copy, as I’m sure I’d listen to this again. I definitely need either an ebook or print version so I can fill it with notes.

Highly recommended on audio, especially if you need some encouragement in your life.