Schwarzenegger
“Improvising is about being able to think on your feet and come up with a solution to a problem on the spot.”
In a recent podcast with Tim Ferris, Arnold Schwarzenegger shared advice including insights on improvising, shifting gears, and being useful. Schwarzenegger is a master of all three, having achieved success in bodybuilding, acting, business, and politics.
Improvising
Schwarzenegger learned the importance of improvising throughout his career.
As a bodybuilder, he had to adapt his training plans to deal with injuries and other challenges. As a politician, he had to deal with unexpected events all the time. And as an actor, he often had to - literally - improvise scenes on the spot.
In his most recent book, Be Useful, Schwarzenegger writes:
“Improvising is about being able to think on your feet and come up with a solution to a problem on the spot. It’s being able to adapt to change and make the best of a situation.”
Schwarzenegger offers the following advice for improvisation:
Be prepared. The more prepared you are, the easier it will be to improvise.
Be confident. Believe in yourself and your ability to come up with a solution.
Be creative. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and come up with new ideas.
Be flexible. Be willing to change your plans and adapt to new information.
Leaders who improvise are not the same as:
🚫 Leaders who are not prepared.
🚫 Leaders who boast that "change is the only constant here."
🚫 Leaders who are constantly shifting gears.
Shifting gears
Another skill Arnold Schwarzenegger has mastered is shifting gears. He successfully transitioned from bodybuilding to acting (Conan!) to business, politics and philanthropy.
In his book, Schwarzenegger writes:
“Shifting gears is about being able to adapt to change and take on new challenges. It's about being willing to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things.”
Schwarzenegger offers the following advice for shifting gears:
Be open to new opportunities. Don't be afraid to try new things, even if they are outside of your comfort zone.
Be willing to learn. Be willing to learn new skills and knowledge.
Be persistent. Don't give up on your goals, even if you face challenges.
Being useful
Arnold Schwarzenegger believes everyone has something to offer the world and that we should all strive to make a difference. He believes being useful is about using your skills and talents to help others and make a difference in the world, no matter how small.
Schwarzenegger offers the following advice for being useful:
Find your passion. What are you passionate about? What are your skills and talents? Once you know what you're passionate about, you can start to look for ways to use your skills and talents to help others.
Get involved. There are many ways to get involved and make a difference. You can volunteer your time, donate to charity, or start your own social enterprise.
Be persistent. Don't give up on your efforts to make a difference. Even small acts of kindness can have a big impact.
Listen the the interview with Tim Ferris and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Get “Be Useful: Seven Tools For Life” by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Want to learn how to improvise in context of work? Our trainers can help.