If you’d told me a few
years ago when I set up a beauty blog that I’d be writing about Arnold
Schwarzenegger I would’ve laughed. I’d hardly put a seven-time Mr Olympia
champion and makeup tips in the same sentence, but since I’ve put the majority
of my beauty-focused writing behind me and entered the intimidating but very
rewarding world of health and fitness, it has never been more appropriate. In
fact, when I started my blog I didn’t even know how to pronounce Schwarzenegger
without getting a funny look – he was just that “I’ll be back” guy.
Winning the Mr.
Universe title at just aged 20 (c’mon now I’m 20 – oh jheez) as well as having
the title of actor, producer, director, philanthropist, politician and many
more titles under his belt, Arnold is quite the guy. But it isn’t just his body
in the Pumping Iron days and notorious heavy Austrian accent that created the
unstoppable icon that is Schwarzenegger: mentality is the key force.
It wasn’t until I got a
bit lost on YouTube last night and came across his numerous motivational
speeches that I thought, hey this Arnold guy has a little more to say than just
how to ‘get big’. His words and advice spoke to me, and became more to me than
just gym motivation, but life motivation.
According to the
Fitness Industry Association, 12 per cent of January gym goers give up after 24
weeks. It’s no surprise when many people fail to partner mentality with
physical strength. Why do we have to think about picking up a weight? Surely
it’s just as mundane as cleaning our makeup brushes – girls, you’ll feel my
pain. But it’s the mentality, the positive attitude, the thirst for success
that pushes you that little big harder, that little bit heavier, and for that
little bit longer. A positive mental attitude can unlock many things in life
that you never thought could be yours. Arnold's six rules of success are
something to read and remember, again and again – so simple, yet steps that
anybody can apply to their daily lives to get closer to where they want to be.
1) Trust
yourself Your biggest
critic is yourself. Make every decision for yourself and with a goal set in
mind because at the end of the day, any choices you make, you
have to live with everyday, not anybody else. So trust your heart and mind
endlessly.
2) Break
some rules As Arnold says:
break the rules, not the law. I really need to recite this in my own head
because it’s very easy to stay in our comfort zones… but if we all did that,
then there would be nobody breaking the mould, nobody excelling in anything, no
icons like Arnold or public figures to look up to.
3) Don’t be
afraid to fail Yet
again, as Arnold says: how far can you really fall? The ground is just there.
Turn failures into lessons or motivation. Failure isn’t measured by you not
getting that job you always wanted or not getting the grade you wanted at uni,
it’s measured by how well you come back fighting.
4) Ignore the
naysayers This one normally
sticks in my head the most because who the heck says the word ‘naysayers’, and
in that robotic Austrian accent, how can I not remember it.
Block out the people
who say you can’t. They are insignificant to your journey, and after all, how
good will it feel to prove them wrong? Oh the sweet taste of success for you …
and bitter taste of jealousy for them.
5) Work like
hell Don’t just think about
it, do it. You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.
6) Give
something back Giving
back and helping others is just as rewarding as doing something for ourselves.
Treat others with love and care and it will come back to you. It’s the key to a
happy heart and an army of supportive friends and family.
It’s strange to think
how things can change when we tweak our mentalities, set a goal and keep our
eyes on the prize, the destination in other words. This time last year I
idolised Kim Kardashian for her killer contour technique or Kylie for her lips,
now Arnold is up there for his unwavering drive to succeed. After all, on-point
make up keeps us happy for a day, but a positive mentality unlocks a lifetime
of happiness - and doesn’t smudge or flake off.
