How To Apply Arnold Schwarzenegger's Wisdom To Your Home Office
I’m currently reading Arnold Schwarzenegger's brilliant book, "Be Useful: Seven Tools For Life”
In today's world, where remote work has become a widespread norm, Arnold’s wisdom is more relevant than ever.
Arnold has been an inspiration to me since my teenage years so I was really excited to jump into this book!
So pull up a chair and lean in, because today, I'm excited to share the first ‘Rules For Life’ from Arnold's toolbox.
Arnolds 1st Rule - Have a Clear Vision
Without a clear vision of where you want to go and what you want to achieve, it's easy to lose focus with all the distractions at home.
As a remote professional, your vision can be your guiding star. It can direct your daily tasks as well as your long-term projects and goals.
Arnold's advice? Define what success looks like for you
It could be climbing the corporate ladder, building your own business, or achieving work-life balance.
Your vision will guide your choices and keep you motivated, even when the laundry pile is calling your name!
Arnold's message is clear: you have a choice. Life isn't something that just happens to you. You choose your direction, but to make informed choices, you need a vision to steer by.
Small Steps To Your Vision:
"Start small and build out. Once you've developed a rhythm, create weekly and then monthly goals. Build out your life from this small beginning and let your vision open up in front of you from there."
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold lays out some practical steps to help you craft your vision.
He says you can start small. Begin with tiny, manageable steps towards your goals.
Want to get fitter? You can start by going for a walk every day or cutting back on junk food.
Want to progress in your career? You could start by studying a trending topic in your industry for 10 minutes a day.
These little goals shift your focus and set you on a path.
Visualise Your Future:
"If you want to increase the chances of success looking exactly like you hoped it would ...you need to see it."
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold tells us we need a crystal-clear vision.
He says it's about forming a very clear and precise mental image of your desired future.
As a successful remote professional what does your ideal workday look like?
What does your ideal optimised workspace look like?
What actions are you taking to balance work and personal life?
By visualising these things in detail, you're not just dreaming about success; you're planning for it.
Define What Success Isn't:
"If you can't picture what success is and what it isn't, it becomes very hard to assess opportunities and challenges."
Arnold Schwarzenegger
You need to know what success looks like, but Arnold says that equally important is to define what it doesn't look like.
In the book, Arnold gives a personal example of turning down a (very well paid) offer to become an ambassodor for a successful chain of gyms because it didn't match his vision of becoming a successful actor.
I remember clearly creating a vision for my remote workday where I would wake up early, exercise, have a leisurely breakfast, take my dogs for a walk and only then would I log on to work.
I knew my vision did not include logging in early, or feeling rushed and stressed like I did back in the ‘bad old days’ of commuting daily into London.
This helped me set boundaries, prioritise my schedule better, and say 'no' to things that didnt match my vision.
Look in the Mirror:
"The good ones know specifically what they're trying to achieve, and they're disciplined about measuring their choices against that vision."
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Lastly, Arnold tells you to face yourself in the mirror every day; to check in with how well you are aligned to your vision of who you are and who you want to be.
Arnold believes the difference between the successful and the lost is simple: self-awareness and a clear vision.
Working from home without the structure of a traditional office environment, it's up to you to assess your progress and productivity, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate your wins.
Regularly reflect on your progress towards your vision.
This self-awareness is key to staying motivated and aligned with your goals.
To Sum Up
In essence, Arnold's wisdom encourages us to take control of our lives.
So give it a try! Start by defining your vision, begin with small, manageable goals, visualise your future success, and make time for regular self-reflection.
Remember, it's not about being the busiest or the most stressed. It's about finding a rhythm that works for you and aligns with your vision of success.
I highly recommend Arnold's book, it's packed with wisdom! If you want to read more get it here.
P.S Has Arnold's first ‘Rule For Life’ worked for you? Or maybe you've found other tools that help you stay productive while working from home?