It was Thoreau who wrote, "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."
I couldn't have said it better. Get your vision, get focused, and then do the work -- starting today!
When I was starting out in Manhattan real estate, I had to be courageous because I was in new territory. I did my homework and studied and watched what was going on, but I was paving my own way here and I had to appear confident, or I knew I'd never make it. Every day mattered, and every day was important. This was the big time, and I knew it.
I've never lost that edge. I still feel that way every day, and I think that's one reason I've managed to achieve as much as I have.
Confidence can get you where you want to go. It's so much easier to achieve when you feel good about yourself, your abilities, and your talents. That's why I'm emphasizing confidence as a way to get the most from every day. It's absolutely essential, so never let anyone undermine you, including yourself.
Even if you haven't encountered great success yet, there is no reason you can't bluff a little and act like you have. Confidence is a magnet in the best sense of the word. It will draw people to you and make your daily life -- and theirs -- a lot more pleasant.
Remember, business is full of complexities. That's what makes it so interesting. Anyone who thinks it's boring hasn't given it much thought. Business can be an art, and as an art, it is evolving and mysterious in its own right. When I wrote The Art of the Deal, I was really just illustrating this aspect of business, and I haven't changed my mind about it. Like an artist, I give my utmost every day to what I'm doing. I'm not pretending in any sense of the word.
If you really want to succeed, you'll have to go for it every day like I do. The big time isn't for slackers. Keep up your mental stamina and remain curious. Bored people equal unintelligent people in my mind. Hopefully since you're reading this, that unfortunate group won't ever include you. It better not!
I don't like dropouts either. Get with and keep up with the program--and I mean every day. I'm not really a tough guy but I am when it comes to education and using your brains. Ignorance is more expensive than education, and considering what's available these days--Trump University, for example--very few people can make a strong case for ignorance.
Take the pains required to become what you want to become, or you might end up becoming something you'd rather not be.
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