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Being Well Informed

Posted by Donald J. Trump on 9/8/2009 at 11:50 AM
Posted in Leadership

Blog Image I remember hearing someone say “I am not an intellectual, but I’m well informed” when they were talking about their interests, and I thought that statement was well put. People are surprised when they discover the variety of subjects I am interested in, but that comes with paying attention to newspapers, magazines, television coverage and the Internet. If you stop to consider how much information is given out on a daily basis, there’s very little reason not to be well informed.

Give yourself opportunities by refusing to limit yourself. I may be a businessman, but I attend concerts, read history books and biographies, listen to music, watch sports and play golf. I don’t put borders on myself or on my interests, and I’m always looking to learn something new.

Blog Image I recently came across some facts about the music business, and there’s a recording that came out in 1959 that remains the best selling jazz album of all time: Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. I became curious as to why, and it seems it struck a chord with a very broad audience. Musicians were impressed by it and the public just plain liked it. It turns out that Miles Davis was a bit of a strategist and he also used modes--an old form of musical scales. The sound surprised people, and it has obviously had a long lasting effect.

Don’t be afraid to expand your horizons by expanding your base of knowledge. Use curiosity to your advantage by paying attention to things that may not be in your line of business--it’s a form of lateral thinking that could be a catalyst to a new sound that becomes a record breaker. It’s all a part of being well informed.

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Donald J. Trump is Chairman of Trump University.

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12 Comments

Posted by Cheryle on 09/08/2009 12:25 PM

I agree with you 100%. It's fun to be the boss of your learning experiences. Whether you are a businessperson, student, househusband or fool, collecting information and using it at the right time and place gives you character.
Great authors, painters, politicians, and entertainers always were recognized because of their diverse interests and subject matter. I think they also have the most fun. Well, maybe not all of the painters.
I guess everyone doesn't have the personality of Leonardo da Vinci. He knew how to charm his audience and stimulate their interests. And he had fun doing it!

Posted by member11012376 on 09/08/2009 12:40 PM

I'd be tempted to argue that the big reason for "Kind of Blue's" position at the top of the jazz charts is specifically due to many people's LACK of knowledge about jazz. It seems to be the only jazz album that the "mainstream" can name.

Much like when asked to name a "jazz saxophonist" many people who are unfamiliar with jazz will name Clarence Clemens. I'm not going to argue whether or not Mr. Clemens plays jazz, but I will argue that he is not an example of a jazz saxophonist.

So, whether or not "Kind of Blue" is a great jazz album (it is), I don't think it's popularity is based on its quality. And that's unfortunate.

Posted by member1780164 on 09/08/2009 4:46 PM

I always admire you and the fact that you appreciate the importance of learnig and broadening of ones horizon.
Thank you for the information and the education.

Posted by member1722237 on 09/08/2009 9:10 PM

Valuable Business

To Mr. Trump

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You have been exploring into different forms of business aside from the real estate. I used to work for a company that made a merge with "3-One Media", and i believe that this could prove to be very valuable to you in your future developments. I hope u will take a look at their site and see for yourself!

The website is : www.3one.tv

Ryan K :o)

Posted by Rachael Sutton #1253595 on 09/08/2009 11:40 PM

You know this reminds me of the debate I had with several professors over which is really the more successful approach: To specialize so that you are the most knowledgeable expert (as in focus); or to be a jack-of-all-trades. I suspect you are a rare combination of both. I decided the world needs a balance of people who embrace each approach, and I believe that we all benefit from the few who excel at multiple areas. I call them multi-faceted, and they are much like fine gems to which I aspire.

This same topic came up again as I worked with exchange students from Europe and the East. In Russia, and many other countries, youth are required to select their one field of study as they begin high school. This decision determines which schools they will be able to attend, and how many additional years of school they will be able to attend. So they are all educated as specialists.

Here, many of our Universities counsel students to try a variety of courses to find their passion, then to select a double major so they have more options. I found America's pioneer spirit and can do approach took some adjustment for foreign students to digest, but as you pointed out, it is in making those connections between diverse areas of interest where the most unique solutions and discoveries often incubate. I embrace this approach and believe that even specialists benefit from expanding their areas of interest and understanding by learning, experiencing and trying new things.

Posted by member11012681 on 09/09/2009 1:57 AM

Steps on being well informed:
1. Realize that being well-informed and keeping up with the gossip are two different things. Don't be nosy, but ask your buddies "So what's up with Lucy joining step team?! She can dance?" and "Do you know if that new movie is any good?" and "What is everyone doing this weekend, anyway?"
2. Remember that intelligent conversation draws parallels between global issues and things on a smaller scale. Keep up with the the news and on blogs that are focused on things you and your friends are into.
3. Check your Facebook for 5 minutes a day. You don't have to be addicted if you limit yourself. Just get on and see what everyone is up to and who's birthdays are coming up and what events you are invited to.
4. Don't skip out on too many social situations at a time. It is better to pace yourself (allowing for school work and other activities while keeping up with the times) than to party and chill with your friends non-stop for a month and then have to miss out on two weeks of playing catch-up.
To read more: http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/09/01/walgreens-flu-shots/

Posted by MitchM on 09/09/2009 11:38 AM

"Give yourself opportunities by refusing to limit yourself. I may be a businessman, but I attend concerts, read history books and biographies, listen to music, watch sports and play golf. I don’t put borders on myself or on my interests, and I’m always looking to learn something new." -- DT

In the mid 60s when I was a college student, I applied for a summer job and the HR man advised me to get a broad background in history, the humanities and everything I could find that interested me. That advice has served me well all my life and at the age of 63 with a new grand design of achievement over the next four decades which I've been working on for 13 years, it's more important than ever.

It's not only what you know that amuses, entertains and instructs you, it's not only what you know that open's windows and doors of opportunity when you meet people in conversation, but it's how what you've studied has a way of surprising you with insights that gives you that edge and ability to "crack the code" when other people aren't even aware of "the code."

Mike

Posted by member1815053 on 09/09/2009 3:07 PM

To find the right rhytm in your life is most important. It is a kind of flow feeling; life is carrying you and you must go with the stream. You have to look, listen, read and be activ in your work all the time when you are awake, but you have not to be busy or stressed. Take a one thing to your handling at a time, you must concentrate. It is the same in the Golf, you must concentrate to a golfball one at a time. You must not think other hits just to that hit you are making.

It is same also in the music, you can find beautiful sounds when you concentrate to listening. The silence has also many things to tell you, it is good to listen the silence, you can also "hear" your thoughts then better.

It is true when you are open to the world, in the positive way, you can learn and get many precious ideas.

Posted by member1982261 on 09/09/2009 4:02 PM

I try to learn as much as I can about the things I'm interested in, however I try as hard to avoid useless information. I don't see any value in information, which doesn't have a real life application.

John,
http://www.canadabanks.net/Loans.aspx

Posted by member11013559 on 09/11/2009 12:07 PM

In this context is useful a skill of so called "Fast reading" when you are able to go thru a big amount of texts concentrating on what you are interesting in.
Also there is saying: a businessman never miss a valuable information. And if you are learned to think broadly you can find business opportunity everywhere and then mix it up and pick up what is valuable in your present situ. During few years of reading "Rich Dad Poor Dad" I found myself constantly thinking of usability of info I get. It happens now automaticly. And perhaps, for now it is the best thing I can do.

I know for sure, that new things come up only if you get new staff in your mind. To think and to get new food for your mind.

Posted by member11007470 on 09/14/2009 3:27 PM

This is a magnificent point!! I have to say, as a jazz enthusiast I am looking to learn more of this album. I do this everyday. I try to educate myself on at least one new thing per day. Whether it’s a Mortgage program, market condition, sales strategy, I am always adding value and tools into my toolbox. When I reach into I am never at a loss of resources...and that’s a huge confidence builder, and also makes my clients confidence in me soar!!

Thanks for for the tid bit,

W Lewis
VOYAGEHOME LOANS

Posted by Zarina Azman on 09/16/2009 10:54 PM

As a teacher I must agree with you Mr Trump. I am very amazed to meet my classmate 10 years after high school with a masters degree in Law from a well known college in England. I was asked my credentials well I got teaching certificates and that was all I could say for myself. He was in the bottom wrung in our class of 1995 yet he went abroad and succeeded. Some may be said as late bloomers and others are plain lazy never will they get out of the failure image. I am glad even if I still want to struggle to get my first degree in utter turmoil and bad circumstances I still remain knowledgable in general knowledge keeping up with latest findings and technology. I am a salesperson I love seeing a need and fulfilling them it generates goodwill and income. I will always try to get myself acquianted with all levels of soceity on my leisurely bus rides in my city Kuala Lumpur I meet many people and I get genuine information from them. Many tricks of the trade in restaurants clubs and stuff that is mostly confidential in big corporations I get to know about.It is real and down to earth truthful and interesting one day I dream to build my dream corporation through these tough times I spend my hours learning and gaining knowledge not only from the pros but also the grass root level staff. A happy corporation filled with happy workers is more productive. I gain info yes and in a realistic sense.I hope I get to use what I know in any situation of crisis or in times of peace, profit.

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