Page 179 - Why We Want You To Be Rich - Donald Trump, Robert Kiyosaki.pdf

WHAT DID You LEARN FROM YOUR FATHER? I 173

even consider going to college. So he went to work as a carpenter's
helper for a home builder in Queens, New York. One year later, he
built his first home, and he called his company Elizabeth Trump &
Son because he was too young to be in business for himself and had
to have his mother sign all the legal documents and checks.
My father became so successful that he was able to send his
younger brother to college at M.I.T. where he earned a Ph.D., and he
was also able to marry my mother and start a family. Longstory short,
he was a self-made man starting at age 11 and he was a great
example to learn from. He was someonewho never took anything for
granted and who maintained very high standards for himself in both
good times and bad.
My father never had the time to complain. He just worked. And
that is something to learn from. When I was going through difficult
times, I would remember my father's ordeal and just keep on working
through it. I can tell you from experience that perseverance is what
is required. I think Henry Ford knew about work and so did Picasso.
The work ethic applies to whatever industry you might be in or aspire
to be in.
Robert mentions his two fathers - one rich, one poor. He had two
examples to learn from, to observe and to choosefrom when it came
to having a mentor. The one he learned the most from was his father
without the advanced education. He had learned to figure things out
for himself, which is very much what my father had to do. There's a
lesson in there for all of us. As much as I value higher education,
sometimes it seems the school of hard knocks produces people with
above-average common sense. My father was naturally smart, and
that, combined with his work ethic, produced an effective dynamo.
My father was a great inspiration to me as well as a great
example. He never had to tell usthat success meant diligent work and
discipline. We could see that by watching him work, day in and day
out, for many years. But it was never drudgery for him. He loved what
he was doing. He had a passion for his business, and his exuberance

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