THE SIX RULES TO SUCCESS
People ask me all the time « what is the secret to success? »
the first rule is: trust yourself! But what is most important is that you have to dit deep down, dit deep down and ask yourselves, who do you want to be? not what, but who? and I’m talking about not what your parents and teachers want you to be, but you. I’m talking about figuring out for yourselves what makes you happy no matter how crazy it may sound to other people. So rule number one is, of course, trust yourself no matter how and what anyone else thinks.
Rule number two is: Break the rules! We have so many rules in life about evrything. I say break the rules. Not the law but break the rules. It is impossible to be a maverick or a true original if you’re too well behaved and don’t want to break the rules. You have to think outside the. That’s what I believe. After all, what is the point of being on this earth if all you chant to do is liked by everyone and avoid trouble? The only way that I ever got anyplace was by breaking some of the rules.
Which, of course, brings me to rule number three: Don’t be afraid to fail! Anything I’ve ever attempted I was always willing to fail. You can’t always win, but don’t be afraid of making decisions. You can’t be paralyzed by fear of failure or you will never push yourself. You keep pushing because in yourself and in your vision and you know that it is the right thing to do and succes will come. So don’t be afraid to fail.
Which brings me to rule number four, which is: Don’t listen to the naysayers! How many times have you heard that you can’t do this, you can’t do that and it’s never been done before? I love when someone says that no one has ever done this before because then when I do it that means that I’m the first one that has done it. So pay no attention to the people that say it can’t be done, Ialways listen to myself and say « Yes you can! ».
And that brings me to rule number five, which the most important rule of all: Work your butt off! I always believe leaving no stone unturned, Mohammed Ali, one of my greatest heroes, had a great line in the 70s when he was asked, «How many sit-ups do you do? » He said, « I don’t count my sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting. When I feel pain, that’s when I start counting because that’s when it really counts. » That’s what makes you a champion and that’s the way it is with everything. No pain, No gain. Let me tell you, it is important to have fun in life, of course but when you’re out there partying, horsing around, someone out there at the same time is working hard, someone is getting smarter and someone is winning. Just remember that. But if you want to win, there is absolutely no way around: hard, hard work. None of my rules, by the way, of success, will work unless you do. I have always figured out that there 24 hours a day, you sleep six hours and have eighteen hours left. Now, I know there are some of you out there that say « wait a minute, I sleep eight hours or nine hours. » Well, then, just sleep faster, I would recommend. Just remember, you can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in the pockets.
And that takes me to rule number six, which is a very important rule: It’s about giving back! whatever path that you take in your lives, you must always find time to give something back, something back to your community, give something back to your state or to your contry. Let me tell you something, reaching out and helping people will bring you more satisfaction than anything else you have ever done. Remember those 6 rules: Trust yourself, break some rules, don’t be afraid to fail, ignore the naysayers, work like hell, give something back.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER