Think Like a Champion: An Informal Education in Business and Life

by Donald Trump

  This can also happen without deliberately attempting to be innovative, so the other technique to employ—consciously and unconsciously—is to keep an open mind. That’s very important in business as well as in the creative arts. Don’t limit yourself to staid thinking because you want to excel in business. My first book was called The Art of the Deal because I view business deals as being an art form. Maybe that’s why I’ve been a successful dealmaker. I employ both sides of my brain when I’m thinking and working.

  You may be aware of the number phi (pronounced “fee”), which has an astonishing history. It’s been employed by people from Pythagoras to da Vinci, and most likely the builders of the pyramids used it as well. It’s been around for a long time and the number itself is 1.6180339887. It’s called the golden ratio, and if you want to know more specifics, you can read The Golden Ratio by Mario Livio, who goes into great detail about it. My point is that it appears that some people use the number deliberately, and other people know it subconsciously and it can appear in their work with or without intention. But it can be used intentionally, and very often is. It’s very mysterious, as this ratio appears in unrelated works and natural phenomena, from the chambered nautilus to galaxies to artwork and architecture. It can make your innovative attempts a little easier when you make an effort to understand that there are mysteries in life and to be open to them.

  I’m not advising you to dwell on the mysterious—a successful life requires common sense and hard work—but to be aware of things that are sometimes inexplicable because they can be a big step toward innovation. We don’t really create, but we assemble what has been created for us. Be a great assembler—no matter what your interests may be—and you’ll be on your way to inventiveness. A big mind requires a variety of thoughts and impulses to keep it well occupied, so make sure you keep your mind engaged in the best ways possible. It could very well be your calling card for success.

  Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.

  —HENRY FORD

  The Importance of Being a Team Player

  I have always known the importance of having the ability to be a team player, even though I am an entrepreneur. In a big sense, we’re all in this together, and thinking otherwise won’t give us the results we might be aiming for. More than ever, working together is integral to survival as well as to success.

  As I was thinking of this, I remembered a couple of good examples of team players. Most of us know of Tom Brokaw, the television journalist and author. He has received many awards and is highly esteemed within his industry as well as with the public. I remember when The Apprentice first premiered and it was doing very well—it was the number one rated show that week and I had been invited to sit in George Steinbrenner’s box for a Yankees game. Tom was there with his lovely wife, and he tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Thanks, Donald, for what you’ve done for NBC. We really appreciate it.”

  What he said was a perfect example of team spirit. We were on the same network, and he cared about what I’d done for them. “Them” became “us,” and I understood where he was coming from immediately. He may be famous, but he knows his programs aren’t just about him. My program isn’t just about me, either. In fact, as you will discover as you gain wisdom over the years, most of the things you do will rarely be just about you. Tom cared about the network, and his team was being helped by the success of The Apprentice. His comment gave me great insight into his integrity as a person—and maybe that’s why everyone at NBC, as well as the public, loves and respects him.

  Likewise, while I was standing backstage in Los Angeles for the Emmy Awards when The Apprentice had been nominated for an award, Debra Messing, who had won acclaim and an Emmy Award for her performance in Will and Grace, was standing nearby. I had always liked Debra, maybe because her hair is so great, but she came up to me and very graciously thanked me for the success of The Apprentice. Once again I realized that here was another team player of note—her show was also on NBC.

  It’s been a few years, but I can clearly recall the day Jeff Zucker came to my office to ask me if I’d host Saturday Night Live. One reason I wanted to say yes to Jeff was that Saturday Night Live was an NBC show and I was a part of their team. Team spirit was important, and I have to say it was a great choice. Everyone had a good time, and everyone won.

  My point is that keeping the team spirit alive and well in your personal and professional lives will give you some very good, even surprising, results. Plus, it’s a great feeling to take the high road. Never negate the power of the team, and you’ll be a team player of note as well as power.

  At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

  —ALBERT SCHWEITZER

  An Early Thanksgiving

  On the day before the Rosh Hashanah holiday each year for the past eighteen years, I receive a message from a Rabbi in Los Angeles. I am not Jewish, but have many observant Jews who work for me, so I am well aware of the holiday schedule and that Rosh Hashanah is their New Year, a time for celebration.

  I find his message of thanks to be especially resonant because he and his wife lost their son years ago, yet they call to remind themselves (and me) of the many blessings they’ve had in life. The reason the Rabbi calls me every year is a wonderful example of the spirit of thanksgiving: Back in 1988, he and his wife had a three-year-old son who had an illness that was confounding the doctors in Los Angeles. One day the boy’s father called me to see if they could borrow my jet. He didn’t know me, and I didn’t know him. But he explained that no commercial airline would fly his son due to the extensive equipment required to sustain his life. It was considered too big of a risk. I had small children at the time, and I immediately said yes to his request. How could I say no?

  I sent my jet out and brought the little boy and his parents to New York with the hope that doctors here might find a cure for the severe breathing illness from which he was suffering. His cure was not to be, but his parents have remained grateful to this day. I am always touched that they remember me.

  In these recent days of upheaval in our country, I found the Rabbi’s yearly message to be an insight into a good way to handle difficult and even tragic times—to find a blessing in the midst of adversity. This family and their faith is a wonderful example for all of us, and I would like to thank them for their yearly reminder.We should realize that we all have a lot to be thankful for, whether it’s New Year’s, Thanksgiving, or just another Wednesday in our lives.

  The beginning of every government starts with the education of our youth.

  —PYTHAGORAS

  Learning Is a New Beginning

  Pythagoras interpreted the universe through numbers. As a businessman, that always appealed to me. It makes sense. He was a philosopher and a mathematician, and he knew the importance of learning. Pythagoras lived a long time ago, but a lot of things have remained the same, like the significance of education for both individuals and society.

  Whenever I start something new, I know I have a lot to learn. This does not discourage me—in fact it gives me energy. It is similar to the feeling of a new beginning, a fresh start. When I started building golf courses, I had a tremendous amount to learn, but it was fantastic to be doing something brand new and I loved learning the details of golf course design. If someone had told me thirty years ago I’d be developing golf courses, I would have thought they were joking. But it’s something I’ve truly enjoyed doing.

  It’s important to remain open to new ideas and new information. Being a know-it-all is like shutting the door to great discoveries and opportunities. Keep your door open every day to something new and energizing. Sometimes I wonder what will show up, which is a terrific way to start every day. Other times I might have to search a bit on my own, which is why books and educational tools can be wonderful and should be readily available. Maybe I
’m just fortunate, but I’m never bored. In fact, I think that’s a big reason behind my success.

  Once in awhile—or often is even better—ask yourself this question: What do I need to know more about? Maybe it’s world history.With the events of today being what they are, it’s probably a good idea to know a little about how different cultures have evolved and are operating. Maybe it’s something else. I make an effort to read newspapers with ample international coverage and the Financial Times on a daily basis because it’s important to my business to know what’s going on worldwide. That alone can require serious attention every day. For you it may be something else.

  These days, we don’t have many excuses for having a blind spot. We all have access to information with relatively little effort, and, back to the ancient Greeks, Socrates is famed for having said, “There is only one thing I know, and that is I know nothing.” Pretty tough words coming from an esteemed scholar and philosopher, but it opened him up to more knowledge every day. In other words, start every day with a clean slate. Give yourself a new beginning by opening up your mind.

  If I’d started in business thinking I knew everything, I’d have been sunk before I got started. Don’t make that mistake.There are a lot of hidden aspects in every industry, and you will find out how complex seemingly simple things can be. For example, to get a building built in New York City requires knowledge of zoning, contractors, architects, air rights, tax laws, unions, and about a thousand other things. I had a lot to learn and no one else could learn it for me. But every day I would learn something, apply it, and make progress. Believe me, being a developer didn’t happen overnight.

  Never think of learning as being a burden or studying as being boring. It may require some discipline, but it can be an adventure. It can also prepare you for a new beginning. Notice the first word in my Think Big credo: Think. That’s the first step. Use everything in your power to utilize and develop that capability, and you’ll be in for some great surprises.

  A leader has the right to be beaten, but never the right to be surprised.

  —NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

  Learn to Think on Your Feet

  I’ve already spoken about complacency and how it can ruin your chances for success. It’s the same as being in a rut and deciding to stay there. That’s why I like to advise people to live on the edge—it’s the opposite of complacency, and the same as thinking on your feet.

  Ever notice how your senses are heightened when you are in challenging situations? It’s like having an adrenalin rush that gives you extra energy. If you see every day as a challenge, you’d be surprised how efficient you can become and how much can be accomplished. People often say they “hit the street running,” which is another way of saying they did their prep work and were ready.

  One of the most obvious lessons on The Apprentice is for the candidates to learn to think quickly. They are under a time constraint to finish their assignments, and as we’ve noticed, it’s important that they have a Plan B in line. If Plan A doesn’t work, they’re prepared for it and they won’t lose much time. They are learning to think ahead, to be prepared, and to cover their bases. These are basic ingredients for success in business.

  When I started out in business, I spent a great deal of time researching every detail that might be pertinent to the deal I was interested in making, and I still do the same today. People often comment on how quickly I operate, which is true. But the reason I can move quickly is that I’ve done the background work first, which often no one sees. Just because you don’t see someone working doesn’t mean they haven’t been working in their spare or private time. I prepare myself thoroughly, and then when it is time to move ahead, I am ready to sprint.

  Being able to think on your feet is the result of training and discipline. You can’t sprint unless you have built up the strength to do so. Building the stamina is up to you. If you don’t work at it, it’s not going to happen by wishful thinking. You have to dedicate yourself to it every day. In other words, set a goal and work toward it. Athletes know that no one else can do the training for them, and business people should have the same discipline. You have to be self-reliant.

  Have you ever said to yourself, “I wish I’d thought of that!”? I’ve heard people say that when they come across something very clever or something fantastic. One way to learn to think on your feet is to ask yourself what you should be thinking of this very moment. Do it right now, and then see other people saying, “I wish I’d thought of that—what a great idea!” You’d be surprised how many good ideas you might have if you’d give yourself the opportunity to think about them. Thinking takes time. It’s the preparation for being able to think on your feet. First things first: First we walk, then we run, then we sprint.

  Thoreau said, “I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestioned ability of a man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.” That is not only an encouraging statement, it is also an empowering one. It means you can accomplish a lot by applying your brainpower and then moving forward with it. Thought without action won’t amount to much in the long run. Those great ideas you have will remain great ideas unless you actively do something with them.

  Don’t wait for dire circumstances to test your quick-thinking ability. Test yourself daily. Be on alert at all times. As Napoleon said, “A leader has the right to be beaten, but never the right to be surprised.” See yourself as a leader—starting right now. It will mean you are self-reliant, responsible, and not apt to being unnecessarily surprised by the vicissitudes of life, whether you are in business or not. Being prepared cannot be overestimated, and if you want to hit the big time running, you’d better be able to think on those feet of yours.

  He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.

  —ALBERT EINSTEIN

  Strive for Wholeness

  Ever hear the saying “Get the big picture”? It amazes me when people can leave out or ignore big pieces in a picture or pretend nothing is missing. It’s like ordering a pizza and getting a pie with a few slices already removed—and still thinking it’s a whole pie. Wouldn’t you wonder where those pieces went?

  I’ve encountered people who don’t wonder about anything. Sometimes I wonder if they are in shock or something. Maybe they’re just afraid to strive for the big picture or the whole pie, or maybe they don’t think they’re worth the whole pie. Whatever it is, don’t let yourself fall into any of those categories. Don’t ever sell yourself short. That’s bad business on every level, even the metaphysical.

  If striving for wholeness means diminishing your competition, then your competition wasn’t much to begin with. A lot of life is about survival of the fittest and adaptation, as Darwin pointed out. It’s not all there is, but it’s an indication of how the world has evolved in historical terms. We’ve seen many empires come and go—the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and so forth. There have always been surges of power. Sometimes they last for centuries. Even so, some of us have never heard of them as of today. In other words, things change. We have to keep up with the changes and move forward or we will be holding some moldy pieces of the pie.

  As The Trump Organization has moved forward, I have very much seen it as a living organism that needs to be fed and replenished. It needs to be whole, which requires many sections fitting together and working together tightly. It is a daily requirement on my part to make sure all the ingredients are there and working together to make the best product possible. I can’t have any missing pieces. I can’t have any ingredients that aren’t the best. Those are my standards, and it’s my responsibility to make sure they are kept.

  See yourself as an organization. Pay attention to every facet of your life. What’s strong? What’s weak? What’s missing? What can you do to make the big picture better? Whatever you do, don’t stagnate. Don’t become complacent. Don’t pretend that 50 percent is enough, whether you’re giving or receiving. Things move too quickly today to fall into that trap.


  When I realized how fast the world moves, I decided to double up on my work hours.That wasn’t a big sacrifice because I love what I’m doing and I’ve always been a hard worker. I’m happier and more productive now than I ever was. But I kept the pace in order to keep up with my environment, which is a fast one. New York is known for being fast.You can adapt or lose out. I chose to adapt. Make your choices accordingly. People who want to compete with me will have to keep up with me.

  I had a dynamic, very well-qualified, very well-educated young man come to work for me. I remember thinking, this guy is going to be great. Was I ever wrong. He took so long to explain anything that every time I saw him, I began to dread any kind of interaction with him. He was just too slow. He was thorough and painstaking, but he couldn’t keep up with the required pace. He couldn’t adapt to his environment, and despite his qualifications, he was unable to get the big picture and figure out how to fit in. It was a happy day for me when he departed. Don’t let that happen to you. Learn to adapt. Learn to keep learning.

  Very few of us are completed projects. It’s an ongoing process. Even being a prodigy, Mozart worked at what he did. We have to assemble the bits and pieces constantly in order to achieve the whole. But we have to assemble creatively and passionately to get anywhere near the whole. It’s another way of covering your bases for the most effective game. Strive for wholeness and keep your sense of wonder intact, and you will find yourself ready for a grand slam.