“Are you feeling unmotivated or disengaged in some part of your life but can’t figure out why?” This is the question that legendary bodybuilder-turned-actor Arnold Schwarzenegger has an answer to. According to him, understanding and meeting three basic psychological needs could be the key to unlocking your potential and kicking those bad habits to the curb.

While sharing some Monday motivation, the bodybuilding legend opined on the psychological aspect of life, explaining it through a question. The question focuses on people’s motivation levels, where they sometimes feel uninspired and disconnected from the world. Before answering, Arnie highlighted the reason behind this: the “ARC” theory, a game-changer in psychology circles. The theory is all about mastering three fundamental needs, namely “autonomy, relatedness, and competency.” But how does one go about doing so?

Following his usual method, The Terminator spoke while citing evidence. “Research suggests if you want to feel more motivated and build better behaviors, mastering three basic psychological needs is critical to your success,” Schwarzenegger stated in the newsletter. He further explained what the ARC theory entailed. The autonomy part of the theory meant that “You must feel in control of your actions”. This basically means that you should have the feeling of being in the driver’s seat of your life. When you’re calling the shots, you’re more likely to feel motivated and engaged.

The second aspect of the theory touched upon relatedness. “You must have strong relationships or bonds with others,” Arnie penned. These are meaningful connections we crave with others, whether it’s with friends, family, or coworkers. Strong relationships can fuel our drive and sense of fulfillment. Competency, on the other hand, dealt with the fact that “You must feel good at what you do”. In simple words, this is the satisfaction that comes from knowing you’re darn good at what you do.

This trifecta of needs isn’t just a fancy idea; it’s backed by solid research. Developed by psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan back in the ’80s, the self-determination theory has stood the test of time. Study after study confirms that when people inculcate ARC into their lives, they’re not just coasting; they’re thriving.

This includes a 2022 study in the National Library of Medicine that showed how during the COVID-19 pandemic, these basic psychological needs “significantly predicted well and ill-being even during such unprecedented times of disruption.” The study even suggested that public health officials should encourage people to focus on autonomy, competence, and relatedness during “times of disruption.”

But as Schwarzenegger sheds light on, when these needs go unmet, it’s a recipe for discontent and, dare we say, bad habits. Arnie didn’t just stop at the theory’s definition, the 76-year-old shared some tips to overcome this psychological toll.

Arnold Schwarzenegger wants you to question yourself

As the FUBAR actor delved deeper into explaining ARC, he also highlighted how one can recognize if they are experiencing a similar situation. If one ends up feeling unfulfilled at work, where autonomy and competency might be lacking, they might seek solace elsewhere, like endlessly scrolling through social media. Here people are choosing to spend more time in a part of their life where they “have ARC”. According to Arnie, this might often lead to them experiencing a “robust detrimental impact on wellness.” So, how do you break the cycle? It’s all about evaluating your ARC.

He outlined a few questions, and urged people to take a moment to ask themselves: Do I feel in control? Do I have meaningful connections? Do I feel competent in what I’m doing? “If you answer “no” to any of those, try to fix that problem,” he wrote.

But how? Well! Schwarzenegger has a few tips to ensure that you take control of your life. According to him, maybe you need to brush up on your skills or seek out a mentor to boost your competency. Or perhaps it’s time for a change by choosing a new job that leads to a fresh start. By pinpointing what’s missing and taking steps to address it, you’re well on your way to shaking those bad habits for good.

As Arnie explains, when you understand the ingredients of motivation, you can actively seek them out. And when you’ve got autonomy, relatedness, and competency on your side, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.