Arnold Schwarzenegger USC Commencement Address

6 Rules


1. Trust yourself
  • Dig deep down, who do you really want to be? Not your parents or teachers, but you.
2. Break the rules
  • It is impossible to be a maverick or true original if you don’t break the rules. You have to think outside of the box.
3. Don’t be afraid to fail
  • You can’t always win, but don’t be afraid of making decisions.
  • Don’t get paralyzed by failure or you won’t push yourself.
  • Keep pushing because you believe in yourself and your vision.
  • Success will come.
4. Don’t listen to the naysayers
  • You can’t do this, you can’t do that…
  • Embrace it, create a chip on your shoulder, an extra incentive and drive towards your goals.
  • When you do finally break through your actions will have shown that it was possible.
5. Work your butt off
  • Leave no stone unturned.
  • Ali: “I don’t count my pushups, I only start counting when it starts hurting.”
    • Because that’s when it really counts.
    • No pain, no gain.
    • Remember that someone is working hard and getting ahead regardless of what you’re doing.
    • None of these rules work unless you do.
6. Giving back
  • Always find time to give something back.
  • Reaching out and helping people will bring more satisfaction, than anything else that you have ever done.
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