We live in the best of all possible worlds. However, even in the best of all possible worlds, there will always be failure, disappointment, and fear. The Terminator, also known as Arnold Schwarzenegger, suggests in this speech that failure is an essential component in order to achieve ultimate success.

One of the greatest flaws, that we as humans have, is the process of creating a Plan B. Mr. Terminator describes this epidemic perfectly in his speech. We are so afraid of failing, of disappointing ourselves, that we end up creating a Plan B, or a safety net, in order to ensure that when we fall, at least we can fall softly. However, Mr. T suggests that in the process of creating Plan B,  we just end up decreasing the amount of commitment and strength we are putting towards Plan A. In the words of the great man, “people perform better when there is no safety net.”

Optimism isn’t the idea of having a positive outlook, but rather, the full blooded strength and commitment dedicated towards an ultimate goal. According to Arnold, this idea applies to anyone, whether your goals may be more physical in nature, or mental. Muhammed Ali was once asked how many sit-ups he does as a part of his training. He replied, with a sense of pride, “I only start counting when it hurts.” This level of commitment is what creates the greats of an era, this level of optimism is what creates the great minds of an era.

It’s critical to always see the funny side of things, the bright side, if you will. Comedians do a service that is essential for improving mindsets, morale, and overall emotions of people across the world. In the quest of optimism, it’s very easy to find others who aren’t quite there yet, who are trapped in a body of negativity, and have created Plans ranging from A-Z. We have to take it upon ourselves to become The Terminator, and go after this John Connor, who will start and lead the war against their own self belief.  

According to Arnold, those who fail and stay down are the losers of society. The winners are those who fail and get right back up, fail, and get up, fail, and get up — bottom line: always get up.  Stress is a common attribute of people, whether it be in school, at a workplace, in sport, or anything. It’s critical, in the face of losses, we maintain our composure and expel the fear of losing, and when we develop that fear, we become frozen, unable to relax. In order to reach a goal, again, referring back to the Terminator, it can only happen when we are able to have the capacity to relax, accept where it failed or went wrong, and then go back at it with everything we’ve got.

Seventy-five percent of the working citizens are not happy with what they’re doing in life, mostly due to the need and necessity of having a job and stable income. This is work, and working eventually becomes a chore. The Terminator, back in his hay day, in his process of becoming ripped, was always asked “How are you able to keep a smile on your face? All the other bodybuilders have an obvious expression of tedium and frustration.” According to the Terminator, the reason he smiles is because he had a goal, and everything he was doing was bringing him just that much closer to achieving that goal, in his case, winning the Mr. Universe bodybuilding competition.

Mindlessly doing work is the kryptonite of the American Dream. Obviously, in order to achieve a more optimistic mindset, it’s not required to become a bodybuilder and compete in the Mr. Universe competition, but it’s critical to find a clear goal, and do everything within your power to achieve that goal, accepting and building off of failures along the way. We must become the Terminator, and find a goal that can become our John Connor.