Page 107 - Trump Never Give Up: How I Turned My Biggest Challenges into Success

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T R UM P: N E V E R G I V E U P

Things were going pretty well, and my confidence level was
improving, especially when I saw that the Saturday Night Live
regulars were enjoying the proceedings and having a few good
laughs themselves. Then, I saw my costume for the chicken
wings number. This was a commercial for Trump’s House of
Wings, a skit that was popular from the first time we tried it
out. It involves singing chickens, with me in the middle of them.
I don’t need to say more. I had already said the chicken outfit
was out, and what they gave me instead wasn’t much better: a
bright yellow polyester suit that would make anyone look like a
sitting duck for smart comments. I remember saying to some-
one, “What have I gotten myself into?”
Little did I know the hard part was coming: the monologue.
Think about it: walking out on stage with millions of people
watching, and hoping to be funny. Then think about this:
What if I wasn’t funny? Here’s a word to the wise—don’t think
about it! You have to go for it or you will just freeze up think-
ing about it.
I want to stop here to reiterate what I just wrote. It is
absolutely true that sometimes you just have to get out there
and do it. Being tentative can lend itself to fear, and fear of fail-
ure can halt you immediately. You have to work despite your
fears, and very often they will disappear. Don’t let fear stop you!
I know, it’s easier said than done. I even said to the set
builders at this point, “What am I doing here? I should be
building, like you. I can relate to you guys.” Once I got deeper
into the rehearsals, it went well. We got some good laughs,
which, believe me, was a wonderful sound, and I had gotten
through a very big test of my ability to handle pressure and a
new environment. In fact, I remember thinking that maybe I’d
ask Darrell over to my office one day, so I could take a break and
he could play me for a few hours. Thinking these thoughts man-
aged to take my mind off the live show the next night. It was all
still very new to me.

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