Arnold Schwarzenegger believes in the power of repetition. While he was talking about bodybuilding, that idea extends to everything we practice. He recently shared his insights at the Gartner Symposium in Barcelona, where IT leaders gathered to hear how his life lessons could relate to technology.
He mentioned a key point: “People worry about artificial intelligence, but I’m more concerned about basic stupidity.” His thoughts resonated with the tech crowd.
In his book Be Useful, Schwarzenegger lays out seven tools for a successful life, and he challenged the audience to think about how these could apply in their own careers. He emphasized what he learned in sports and film—rehearsal improves performance. “The more you practice a scene, the better it gets,” he said.
Reflecting on his iconic role in The Terminator, he admitted he initially wanted to play the hero, Kyle Reese. But during a lunch with director James Cameron, he was convinced otherwise. Cameron told him, “You should be the Terminator.” Schwarzenegger hesitated, worried about the character’s limited lines. Cameron’s vision changed his mind, leading to one of the most famous roles in film history. “Three days later, I called him and said I would play the Terminator,” he recalled.
He stressed the importance of listening over talking. “From talking, you never learn anything,” he advised. Mentorship is another crucial topic in his book. He recalled being inspired by many wonderful mentors throughout his life.
Other lessons include the need for a strong vision, the ability to say no, and the importance of humor. “Humor is such a big part of our lives,” he said, highlighting its role in connecting with others.