Page 108 - How To Get Rich

9:30A.M. I take a moment to glance out the window, which I rarely
do, even with the spectacular views from my office. There is something
inspiring about New York City, and I feel fortunate to live here. Just as I’m
thinking this, a call comes in fromLos Angeles Confidential Magazine for

a comment on their publication. I tell them that Los Angeles is as viable a
cosmopolitan center as New York City, which it is, and that I think their
magazine has a lot of integrity. I always enjoy my trips to California, and
with my new golf course in Los Angeles, I’ll be able to spend more time
there in the near future. I decide to call Jason Binn, just to catch up on
things with him. He’s a successful magazine publisher, and I haven’t
spoken to him for a couple of weeks. I enjoy his take on things.

Tom Fazio calls in to go over some course plans and to give me an
update on my New Jersey golf course. He loves what he does and that’s
made apparent by his attention to detail. John Mack of Credit Suisse calls
in. Despite his great accomplishments, he remains an unassuming man—
the work is what matters to him. These are two easy and informative calls.
People have to understand that I’ve been dealing with all kinds of people

and industries for a long time, so I can pretty readily discern who the goof-
offs are and who the solid-gold people are. So if you hear me blow up in
my office at someone or something, there’s usually a reason for it. It can
be as clear as day to me, and I see no reason to tolerate someone being
inefficient or irresponsible. I do my best, and so should they.
I heard someone who had worked with me for a long time describing
me as a generator—someone who revs up, keeps going, gathers

momentum, keeps going at a higher level, and all is well—except for the
boiling point. Because when something causes me to explode, believe me,
there will be a lot of energy behind it. But, hey, at least I can be honest
about it, and his assessment is accurate. A great Palm Beach lawyer called
me a reverse tornado—I build everything in my path, instead of destroying

it.
Robin comes in to tell me the copies I want are delayed because our
copy machine is on the blink again. I can’t believe it. With all the amazing
inventions of today, can’t they design a copy machine that won’t break
down every three minutes? This is one thing that can make me lose my
temper. I personally call Pete Strada, our director of purchasing, and ask
him when the lease is up on this terrible machine. I want it out of here.