Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story by Arnold Schwarzenegger

Whether in our daily regime, fitness, or business, having goals set priorities straight. To be successful in entrepreneurship, you'll need to pin economic, personal, and retirement goals that are concrete and actionable to guide you in getting your new business off the ground. But, like any other startups, challenges come at the first step. It's either hard to set goals or intricate to achieve goals due to trials along the way. Every founder wants their business to succeed, but the definition of success depends on several personal factors. It requires a vision and mission to bull's eye the target.

Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story by Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American actor, businessman, retired bodybuilder, and former politician who served as the 38th governor of California from 2003 to 2011. As of 2021, he is the most recent Republican governor of California. After retiring from bodybuilding, Schwarzenegger gained worldwide fame as a Hollywood action film star. Arnold's breakthrough film was the sword-and-sorcery epic Conan the Barbarian (1982), a box-office hit that resulted in a sequel in 1984. He then appeared as the title character in the critically and commercially successful sci-fi film The Terminator (1984). Continuously played the same character in the following sequels from 1991 to 2019. He also is the founder of the film production company Oak Productions.

           From the man of goal and vision, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story” was published in 2012. A 646-page memoir autobiography of the Hollywood actor, bodybuilder, businessman, and politician. The book covers his struggles from birth to age and his road to success. An all-tell tale from rags-to-riches, wrecked by World War II, Arnold moved to America to start a new chapter of his life. The first 200 pages of the book committed to his bodybuilding career. 

Along the way, his bodybuilding achievements paved the way for film-making roles, thus leading him to be a Hollywood sensation.

In the last chapter, Schwarzenegger presents his ten rules for success applicable, both in life and business.

When someone tells you no, you should hear yes.
WHEN SOMEONE TELL YOU NO,
YOU SHOULD HEAR YES.

  • Every business owner will receive disagreements and criticisms. It is supreme to be optimistic and not take no for an answer, rather an opportunity to excel.

NEVER FOLLOW THE CROWD

  • “It’s easier to stand out when you aim straight for the top.”
  •  
  • Always target to be different from the rest. Creating a new category of the market fills a
    gap of customer pains that leads to ultimate success with no competitors.

FORGET PLAN B

  • “To test yourself and grow, you have to operate without a safety net.”
  •  
  • Many startups fail because they are afraid of taking risks. Back-up plans are essential,
    but sometimes they don’t adapt to various failing situations. Hence, risks are underdog
    success.
  •  

A Founder's Favorite

Michael Kamleitner lives and breathes SaaS. He is a two-times founder & bootstrapper in SaaS marketing technology and social media marketing. The CEO & Co-Founder of Vienna-based social software agency Die Socialisten, Swat.io & Walls.io. He is also an angel investor connecting and sharing knowledge & war stories with fellow entrepreneurs (SaaS & beyond) worldwide. Michael runs two $1.5M ARR companies, Swat.io and Walls.io, entirely bootstrapped. He and his team of thirteen people began their operations in Austria and german-speaking countries and now runs internationally.

    Launched in 2014, Walls.io is an easy-to-use social media tool that collects, curate, and display content from multiple social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Vimeo, Vkontakte, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and more. It can be utilized as a social wall on websites or display on a screen at events, hotels, restaurants, shops, offices, etc. 

Michael Kamleitner, Founder/CEO of Walls

Walls.io adds customized posts to one’s feed and creates a mix between social media posts and brand content. Michael’s goal is to develop and provide affordable, easy-to-use tools that digital marketers of all trades can use to inspire their audiences and upgrade customer marketing. Michael is also a man of goals and vision like the author of his favorite book.

  • In an interview with Nathan Latka, Nathan asked if he would sell Walls.io for $3 million. Even if there is a benefit for undiluted capital, Michael disagreed because Walls.io is an opportunity to achieve greater heights. 
  •  
  • Michael addressed a customer’s pain. He wanted to help business owners create quality content with easy-to-use features. Therefore, he developed a marketing tool that is both affordable and user-friendly. 
  •  
  • In the interview, Micahel confessed that he would either split the baby company from the parent company or find a good co-CEO for the other company. It is overwhelming to handle two companies, but he overcame the risk and operated as CEO for both companies. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Total Recall is a good book for anyone interested in his autobiography. Although it’s not a business book, Arnold is a businessman, and his rules fit everyone. Only the last chapter can relate to business startups.

"I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you, for sharing your templates with me. I have 2 new Enterprise Sales Managers (AE’s) staring on Monday, and I have used them to great effect. ​ The playbook will be a living breathing document that will constantly evolve. The template and the headings that you shared, provided a great starting point!"
HIVE.HR
SAAS
"I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you, for sharing your templates with me. I have 2 new Enterprise Sales Managers (AE’s) staring on Monday, and I have used them to great effect. ​ The playbook will be a living breathing document that will constantly evolve. The template and the headings that you shared, provided a great starting point!"
HIVE.HR
SAAS

TRANSITION
OUT OF FOUNDER-LED SALES

SaaS Founders, create your high-performing sales team from scratch.
Build your winning sales playbook and lay the groundwork for your transition out of founder-led sales.

Build. Hire. Grow.

Discover more from SaaS Founders

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading