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Key points in this article:

• Trump was highly influenced by Positive Thinking, the power of faith
• Trump believes that each person has infinite potential through hard work
• We can continue to work hard with a feeling of humility if we have faith towards a higher power

 
Donald Trump is not only the President of the United States of America: he is a successful real estate entrepreneur and billionaire.

But what is the secret to Trump’s success?

This article looks at the ideas that influenced Trump, and his own words and actions to find out his philosophy for success.

The Power of Faith

One of the books that significantly influenced Trump was “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale. Since its first publication over 60 years ago, it has sold 20 million copies worldwide, and influenced many famous people including Ronald Reagan.

Trump used to attend Marble Collegiate Church in New York where Rev. Peale was pastor, and listened to his sermons regularly. In his book “Midas Touch: Why Some Entrepreneurs Get Rich – and Why Most Don’t” (co-author Robert T. Kiyosaki), Trump mentions his father’s close connections with Rev. Peale and recommends ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’ to all people in the current age.

What, then, is Rev. Peale saying in his book?

“The Power of Positive Thinking” is divided into 17 principles that will help you lead a fulfilling life, examples of some are: ‘Believe in Yourself’, ‘A Peaceful Mind Generates Power’, ‘Try Prayer Power’, ‘I Don’t Believe in Defeat’, ‘Power to Solve Personal Problems’. These principles are accompanied by various real-life examples as demonstrations.

These 17 principles have a common theme, and it is “the power of faith”. And we can see that in Trump’s words and deeds.

Belief in Human Potential

A belief in human potential is part of faith.

Trump strongly believes that people can change their lives through hard work. Once when he ended up with a debt of several billion dollars and a critical situation where his bank was about to retract his loan, he overcame this crisis through hard work.

Some people are more fortunate than others but people can make their own fortune, he says in his book, “Think Big: Make it Happen in Business” (co-author Bill Zanker). Hard work and knowledge can make the impossible possible. In other words, you can better your fortune. In reality many people who have fallen into misfortune have improved their fortune through hard work, he added.

But it is not easy to keep believing in your potential through good and bad times. To sustain his confidence, Trump always says to himself:

“Today’s a great day. I live in the most powerful country in the world. I have a wonderful job. Today I’ll encounter many opportunities for success.”

 
Trump tells us that his many successes come from a belief in his potential, and concrete effort directed at achieving his goals.

“You Mustn’t Underestimate People”

His faith in human potential also includes belief in others.

Tara Conner was crowned Miss USA in 2006, but a scandal broke out about her alcohol and drug problem. The public demanded her to be stripped of her crown, but Trump, who was the host of the pageant, said at a press conference, “I’ve always been a believer in second chances”. He protected her crown in exchange for her entering a rehabilitation program.

“Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s what you do with them and what you learn from them that matters,” said Trump reflecting back over the incident. (Midas Touch.) He always gives people a second chance because no one succeeds in everything on their first go, he says. We need to learn to forgive people.

We mustn’t underestimate people, he also says. We have to give them a chance to grasp success. That way everyone can become successful. Anyone with a mind to improvement should be given a second chance.

Faith Means Belief In a Greater Power

The highest form of faith is faith in God.

Trump constantly refers to “The Creator” and “Faith” in his speeches. He emphasizes that people were created by God.

Faith means belief in a higher power, he explains. It gives him the strength to endure hardship, and that strength is the strength of a leader. It also gives him the confidence to keep going, and a feeling of humility. (Midas Touch)

There are countless entrepreneurs who fall from grace because of arrogance. But belief in a higher power will make you humble and at the same time have confidence in human potential.

Trump’s rise to the presidency may have also been due to his firm belief in a greater power. Rev. Peale’s philosophy and Trump’s actions show us the importance of faith in a higher power and the belief in human potential.

(Mayuko Kataoka)