The greatest bodybuilder in the world. The highest-paid actor in the world. The leader of the sixth-largest economy in the world. The fact that these attributes pertain to the same person sounds like the beginning of a joke, but it is not a joke. This is Arnold Schwarzenegger. And none of these achievements happened by chance.

His incredible success was achieved as part of a process, as a result of a clear vision, ambitious thinking, hard work, direct communication, persistent problem-solving, open-minded curiosity, and dedication to giving back for what you receive. All of this stemmed from a piece of advice Arnold received from his father that took root in his mind: Be useful. So, as he reached the pinnacle in his various endeavors, he kept this saying as a talisman.

In this book, Arnold Schwarzenegger reveals through an inspiring narrative of disruptive triumphs and crushing failures the mental and spiritual tools necessary for a meaningful life centered on the concept of giving back. He also shows us how to use this advice to create the future we dream of for ourselves.

His unpretentious and robust voice can help us break free from self-limitations and reconnect with our goals. Because as he puts it: No one is going to come to save you; you can only rely on yourself. The good news, however, is that, as has been proven, you are enough.

When I was little, I could see myself in America. I had no idea what I was doing there, but I was there. I could feel the tropical sun on my skin, the sand beneath my feet. I could smell the ocean and hear the waves, even though I had never experienced any of these things in my life. The closest experience I had with waves was when we threw big stones into the deep waters of Taler See, an artificial lake just outside Graz, watching the rings formed on the surface spread outward. When I eventually found myself in California, all my impressions proved to be wrong, some for the better and some for the worse (the sand is a hassle), but the fact that I had such vivid impressions was a key reason I ultimately managed to be in California.