Deals are my art form. Other people paint beautifully on canvas or write wonderful poetry. I like making deals, preferably big deals. That's how I get my kicks.
Leverage: don't make deals without it. Enhance.
When you're confronted with a problem, ask yourself this question: Is this a blip, or is it a catastrophe? That will align your thoughts and your reactions to where they should be.
Business is an art, whether it's real estate or anything else. Treat it that way by developing your technique, being tenacious and remaining passionate.
In business, I've discovered that my purpose is to do my best to my utmost ability every day. That's my standard.
It's no good if you don't make the sale. Even if your foot is in the door or you bring someone into a conference room, you don't win the deal unless you actually get them to sign on the dotted line.
Sometimes your best investments are the ones you don't make.
The worst of times often create the best opportunities to make good deals.
If you're going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big. Most people think small, because most people are afraid of success, afraid of making decisions, afraid of winning. And that gives people like me a great advantage.
Money was never a big motivation for me, except as a way to keep score. The real excitement is playing the game.
The most important thing in life is to love what you're doing, because that's the only way you'll ever be really good at it.
Anyone who thinks my story is anywhere near over is sadly mistaken.
Remember There's No Such Thing As An Unrealistic Goal – Just Unrealistic Time Frames.
I try to learn from the past, but I plan for the future by focusing exclusively on the present.
The point is that if you are a little different, or a little outrageous, or if you do things that are bold or controversial, the press is going to write about you.
The final key to the way I promote is bravado. I play to people's fantasies. People may not always think big themselves, but they can get very excited by those who do. And that is why a little hyperbole never hurts.
One thing I've learned about the press is that they're always hungry for a good story, and the more sensational the better.
The other people I don't take too seriously are the critics—except when they stand in the way of my projects. In my opinion, they mostly write to impress each other, and they're just as swayed by fashions as anyone else.
Leadership Management & Negotiation
Watch, listen, and learn. You can't know it all yourself. Anyone who thinks they do is destined for mediocrity.
I have a very simple rule when it comes to management: hire the best people from your competitors, pay them more than they were earning, and give them bonuses and incentives based on their performance. That's how you build a first-class operation.
The image of success is important, but even more important is the ability to focus on solutions instead of on problems.
Because much more often than you'd think, sheer persistence is the difference between success and failure.
Money Wealth & Value
Money was never a big motivation for me, except as a way to keep score. The real excitement is playing the game.
So if I need $600 million, I can put $600 million myself. That's a huge advantage.
We're going to become so rich, you're not gonna know where to spend all that money. I'm telling you—just watch!
Your money should be at work at all times. Even in the worst economy, there is no excuse.
I don't do it for the money. I've got enough, much more than I'll ever need. I do it to do it. Deals are my art form.
Negotiation & Strategy
Leverage: don't make deals without it. Enhance.
When you're confronted with a problem, ask yourself this question: Is this a blip, or is it a catastrophe? That will align your thoughts and your reactions to where they should be.
Critics Controversy & Pressure
My people keep telling me I shouldn't write letters like this to critics. The way I see it, critics get to say what they want to about my work, so why shouldn't I be able to say what I want to about theirs?
The other people I don't take too seriously are the critics—except when they stand in the way of my projects. In my opinion, they mostly write to impress each other, and they're just as swayed by fashions as anyone else.
Trade Policy & America
I love trade. I'm a free trader, 100 percent. But we need smart people making the deals, and we don't have smart people making the deals.
Starting the day I take the oath of office, I will rapidly drive prices down and we will make America affordable again. We're going to make it affordable again.