Book Review

 I am reading books and would like to share their learning points.

Think Like A Champion by Donald J. Trump

Currently I'm reading a book "Think Like A Champion" by Donald J. Trump. Published by Vanguard Press in 2009. ISBN 978-1-59315-530-8.

This book consists of 50 short topics of Donald's views on different topics.

Topic 1: Barrack Obama Election Ushers in a Different World.
He mentioned that Barrack will need to be a great president as America is in trouble. Barrack surrounds himself with very competent people, the mark of a strong leader.

Topic 2: Essays, Assets, and Stephen King
Stephen King commented that stories were written not for the readers, but for the editors first, so that the stories can be printed for the readers. Even while building properties, the design also has to appeal to the promoters so that the buildings get promoted to the buyers.

Being true to yourself and your work is an asset that is worth protecting.

Topic 3: InnovationInnovative is simply putting together existing elements to create what appears to be new. It helps to be thinking of two things at once. Donald called this as multilevel focusing. Being innovative can be conscious or unconscious, so keep an open mind. He employs both sides of his brain when he's thinking and working.

A successful life requires common sense and hard work. Also to be aware of things that are sometimes inexplicable.

We don't really create, but we assemble what has been created for us. Be a great assembler and you will 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.

Topic 4: The Importance of Being a Team Player
Donald had always known the importance of having the ability to be a team player, even though he is an entrepreneur. His success in The Apprentice and the others shows that were parts of NBC made them successful.

Keeping the team spirit alive and well in your personal and professional lives will give you very good and even surprising results.

Topic 5: An Early Thanksgiving
Donald receives a yearly thanksgiving message from a Rabbi for the last eighteen years. Donald had lent his jet to fly the Rabbi and his son from Los Angeles to New York to see a doctor.

The yearly message is a good way to find a blessing  in the midst of adversity. We should realize that we have a lot to be thankful for.

Topic 6: Learning Is a New Begining
Whenever he starts something new,  he knows that he has a lot to learn. This encourages and gives him energy. It's important to remain open to new ideas and new information. Keep your door open every day to something new and energizing. Every day, learn something, apply it and make progress.

"There is only one thing I know, and that is I know nothing." ~ Socrates, an esteemed Greek scholar and philosopher.

Never think of learning as being a burden or studying as boring. It may require some discipline, but it can be an adventure or a new beginning. 

Topic 7: Learn to Think on Your Feet
Complacency can ruin your chances for success. Live on the edge, same as thinking on you feet. Your senses are heightened in challenging situations. If you see everyday as a challenge, you will be more efficient and much can be accomplished.

Learn to think ahead, to be prepared and to cover the bases are the ingredients for success.

Spend a lot of time researching every detail pertinent to the task, to prepare yourself thoroughly. When it is time to move, you can move quickly.

Being able to think on your feet is the result of training and discipline. Set a goal and work towards it.
Ask yourself what you should be thinking of this very moment. You'd be surprised how many good ideas you will have if you'd give yourself the opportunity to think about them.

Those great ideas will remain great ideas unless you actively do something with them.

Being prepared can be overestimated, if you want to be successful.

Topic 8: Strive for Wholeness
See the whole picture. An organization is like 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 daily requirement to make sure all the ingredients are there and working together to make the best product possible.

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?
Don’t pretend that 50% is enough. The world is moving fast. Don’t become complacent. You adapt or lose out.

Topic 9: Give Your Higher Self a Chance
When an achiever achieves, it’s not a plateau, it’s a beginning. They have an obligation to themselves to best themselves. Your higher self is direct opposition to your comfort zone.

There is always the possibility of failure, but there is a greater chance of success if you actually try to do something versus doing nothing.

Life can be an adventure of the best sort if you will give your higher self a chance.


Topic 10: Wisdom
What does wisdom mean to you? A common denomination: experience, integrity and knowledge.
People will want to work with you if they feel they can trust you.

Wisdom comes from experience and knowledge. Another way to gain wisdom is to read about the great people in history and those in your specific field of interest.

Topic 11: The More You Learn, the More You Realize What You Don’t Know
You are responsible for your education whether you are in school or not.
Start the day with the question, “What can I learn today that I didn’t know before?”
Think big by expanding your horizons.

Topic 12: Think Like a Champion
Champions are born and champions are made.
Champions think big. Champions work in a big-time way. Champions are focused. Champions are disciplined. Champions take responsibility. Champions go the extra mile.
A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.

Topic 13: I View My Work as an Art Form
Compete with yourself to be the best you can be. Strive for comprehensive approach just like an artist. Be meticulous about the materials and desired results.

Life is an art. Be an artist and best yourself.

Topic 14: Building Connected Thoughts
Important to build bridges in knowledge and thoughts to connect the dots of information. Be proactive in your search for knowledge. Many topics come up in the course of a business discussion or interview. While we can't know everything, we should know as much as we can.

Topic 15: Confronting Your Fears
When you label something as a fear, then it creates fear. Sometimes, it's not fear, but a concern.
It's easier to break down a concern than it is fear. Fear creates a block that will hinder your creative thinking.

An antidote to fear is as simple as problem solving. Fear has a way of making things bigger than they are.
Replace fear with problem solving attitude, faith in yourself and hard work.

Topic 15: Imagination: A Key to Financial Savvy
Visualize your path to Success. A lot of people have imagination, but cannot execute.

Topic 16:Is Business Success a Natural Talent?
It may be so, but it's also an acquired skill that takes discipline and focus. Working hard and work intelligently should go together.

Success is often a  matter of patience, and patience can be developed if you don't have it naturally.
Success is a combination of aptitude, work and luck.

Topic 17: Keep It Short, Fast, and Direct