As a kid growing up in the 80s and 90s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was everywhere. He was the terminator, the barbarian, the commando, and for a fitness nut like me, the ultimate blueprint for physical excellence. But lately, I’ve been looking at Arnold less for his biceps and more for his brain.
In his book, “Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life,” Arnold lays out a philosophy that hits home for us in the fire service. We often talk about having tools for the fireground — Halligans, thermal imagers, nozzles — but what about the tools for our heads? What about the tools that keep us mentally resilient, physically capable and fit for duty for 25 years?
I read “Be Useful” with my firefighter helmet on, looking for ways to apply Arnold’s seven lessons to help every one of us, from the probie to the chief, get better every shift. Here is my review of Arnold’s seven tools, translated for the first responder.
1. Have a clear vision
Arnold says you can’t get where you’re going if you don’t know where that is. In the fire service, we are great at tactical objectives: “Put the fire out.” But what is your career vision? Do you see yourself as a future company officer? Do you imagine retiring healthy and mobile, able to play ball with your grandkids? Without a vision of your future health, you won’t do the work today to maintain it. Visualizing the kind of firefighter (and person) you want to be is the first step to actually becoming them.
2. Never think small
“If you’re going to do it, go all in.” We don’t do halfway in this job. When the tones drop, we give 100%. But sometimes, we think small about our impact. We think, “I’m just a firefighter” or “I’m just one person in a big department.” Stop that. Think big about your influence. You can be the one who changes the culture of fitness in your station. You can be the one who starts a peer support program. Don’t just aim to survive your shift; aim to thrive and elevate everyone around you.
3. Work your ass off
This is my language! In fitness, we know there are no shortcuts. You can’t cheat the reps. The fireground is the same; it doesn’t care how tired you are. Arnold preaches the value of “reps, reps, reps,” whether it’s throwing ladders, stretching lines or even meal prepping for the week. If you want to be a high-performer, you have to fall in love with the work, not just the glory. If you aren’t sweating in the gym or the training ground, you’re becoming a liability. Put in the work.
4. Sell, sell, sell
This one sounded odd to me at first — firefighters aren’t salespeople. But then I realized: We are always selling. We sell safety to our community. We sell the importance of funding and resources to our city councils. And most importantly, as leaders and officers, we have to “sell” our crews on standards and culture. If you want your crew to take wellness seriously, you have to sell them on the why. You have to communicate your vision effectively. If you can’t explain it, they won’t follow it.
5. Shift gears
Arnold talks about resilience, turning negatives into positives. For us, shifting gears is a survival skill. We go from a cardiac arrest to a grocery run, from a structure fire to a station tour with kindergarteners. The ability to shift gears — to compartmentalize the trauma, process it, and then switch back to being a dad, a husband or a jovial crewmate — is critical. When things go wrong (and they will), don’t wallow. Shift gears, learn the lesson and keep moving.
6. Shut your mouth, open your mind
As a training officer, I love this piece of advice. The most dangerous phrase in the fire service is, “That’s the way we’ve always done it.” Arnold reminds us to be curious. The world is your classroom. Listen to the senior guys who have been there, but also listen to the new recruits who might bring fresh tech-savviness or new perspectives. Be a sponge. The moment you think you know it all is the moment you stop growing.
7. Break your mirrors
This is the most powerful tool for a first responder. Arnold says that, eventually, you have to stop looking at yourself in the mirror and start looking out the window at the people who need you. This is the essence of public service. We exist to help others. But breaking the mirror also means recognizing that your fitness and mental health aren’t just about you looking good in a T-shirt. It’s about being strong enough to drag your partner out of a burning building. It’s about being healthy enough to support your family.
The verdict?
“Be Useful” isn’t just a celebrity memoir; it’s a manual for a life of service and high performance. It aligns perfectly with what we do at the Better Every Shift podcast. We are built to be useful. We are built to serve. So, grab a copy, read it, and then get back to work.
Watch next: I selected this video because it provides a concise, visual summary of the seven tools discussed in the article, reinforcing the key takeaways for those who want a quick overview before diving into the book.
