Think BIG and Kick Ass by Donald Trump
LoTempio Law Blog Book Review of Think BIG and Kick Ass by Donald Trump
About the book
Companies have to use innovation to compete in the corporate world. Inventors have to be able to take ideas to the market as real products.
In order to be a success in anything you have to believe that no matter what you can overcome the odds and succeed if you can “think big and kick ass.”
In Think BIG and Kick Ass in Business and Life by Donald J. Trump and Bill Zanker, Donald Trump and Bill Zanker describe how they have attained success by using momentum, positive attitude, experience, hard work, luck and their ability to recognize opportunity.
This book presents the real-life stories of people who’ve applied the think BIG principles in their own lives.
From these stories the authors have put together many “points to remember” and lists of vital characteristics in which one necessarily needs to succeed in business and in life.
The authors explore real-life situations that bring home each point in the checklist. Here is an example of such a checklist:
- Find your passion and love what you do
- Give your goals values that are not monetary
- Do not do anything just for the money
- Always do your best with passion
- Know in your mind that passion conquers fear
- Take action every day
- Focus on the solution not the problem
- Handle passion by not dwelling on negative thoughts or opinions of others
- Learn from mistakes but do not let them take you down
- Be mentally tough and never give up
- Push yourself out of your comfort zone
My review of the book
I really enjoyed the real-life situations that the authors share with the reader. For example, Donald Trump speaks about his near bankruptcies and his fluke meeting with a banker who wanted to destroy him and how he worked out a deal to save his empire.
I thought it was funny how Donald instructs us about the value of a prenuptial agreement. I’m sure he doesn’t think it’s funny.
Bill Zanker tells us how his first office was his apartment and he used the table of one of his neighbors to seat some of his first employees during the workday and how he had to sneak them out before his neighbor got home.
I like this book for inventors or anyone who owns a business because I believe that the principles are sound. I believe if you’re already successful these principles will help you stay there. If you’re starting from scratch these principles and motivational words of wisdom will help you become successful.
I became motivated after hearing the many success stories. I find myself saying how can I look at this situation and use the “think big” attitude? But even with that said, Trump by his own admission states that
“Winners in life have a special quality that sets them apart from 98% of the population. He calls it: “the trump it quality”
So I guess the question you have to ask yourself is, can I be one of the 2% of the population that can be a true winner in life? Here are some of the characteristics needed for success that are discussed in the book:
- Dream big because the goals you set are what you will achieve. So don’t set small goals. At every level set even higher goals and challenges for yourself
- Be lean and hungry
- Take action every day and stay focused for the long haul
- Learn something every day so you always know what you’re doing
- Pride yourself on your ability to find creative solutions to the tough problems
- Be passionate about your work and never take no for an answer
- Learn to trust your gut
- Hire the best people and do not trust them
- Get even with people who do you wrong
- Never stop focusing on your objectives even when things are good
About the Authors
Everyone knows who Donald J. Trump is… he’s readily recognized by his trademark haircut, his flamboyant appearance and his visionary real estate developments which will persevere long after “the Donald” himself has left this planet.
His distinctive mark is found in such wonderful architectural works as the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, Trump Park Avenue, Trump World Tower, 40 Wall Street, The Grand Hyatt Hotel, the historic Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, the Palm Trump International Hotel and Tower in Dubai, and numerous award-winning golf courses.
Donald J. Trump is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance. As the Emmy-nominated star and co-producer of the hit television show The Apprentice and the author of seven bestsellers, he has established himself a media giant.
Trump has capitalized on the “Trump” Trademark by putting his name on many goods and services. A search of the United States Patent and Trademark offices’ Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) reveals 382 applications and registrations for trademark of the name Donald Trump and its derivatives.
Clicking through a few of the trademarks I saw merchandise such as furniture, men’s suits, precious stones, chocolate, vodka, tea, natural spring water and men’s cologne (PDF) to name a few. Donald Trump is the very definition of the American success story.
Bill Zanker grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and majored in film towards a master’s degree at The New School.
Zanker started The Learning Annex in 1980 with $5,000 of his own money and grew The Learning Annex from a $5 million a year company into one that’s generating over $100 million a year in sales.
The Learning Annex is a producer of seminars, lectures, classes, and workshops that teach people how to change careers, make more money, improve their relationships, empower their lives, and grow in body and in spirit.
The Learning Annex has boasted speakers such as Donald Trump, Larry King, Jerry Lewis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Henry Kissinger, Tony Robbins, Deepak Chopra, Bishop Desmond Tutu and Barbara Bush.
