***Timing + Good Instincts = Wealth by Donald J. Trump, Trump University, The Official Guides to Real Estate
A few strong instincts and a few plain rules suffice us. --Ralph Waldo Emerson
Handling money well requires instincts. It can be learned, but it also requires a sixth sense that needs to be developed. Gamblers know about timing. Some people have it, some people don't. Life isn't exactly a roll of the dice, but sometimes it seems that way. It can make you wonder: Are events in our lives arbitrary or are they predestined? How much control do we actually have?
I don't have the answers to those questions, but I do know something about timing. Often, it's called patience. I've waited up to 30 years to see some things happen. Waiting to make a move can be more difficult than moving forward. That's when you have to go with a combination of your instincts, your brain, your gut, and your analytical powers. Whoever said making decisions is a snap hasn't made a lot of big decisions. There's no easy formula.
One thing I've learned in negotiations, especially when I really want something, is to lay back a bit, to act like I'm not really sure if I want it or not. This not only puts the competition off a bit, but it also gives me breathing space to assess exactly what it is I'm going for. Why do I want this deal? How much do I want it? What are my motivations? I do a lot of analyzing while I'm waiting for the right time to make my move or to make my move known. I know the importance of timing, and I wait until the ball is in my court before I swing.
Have you ever watched tennis players? I've played and watched a lot of tennis over the years, and the best players have incredible timing. They know how to handle themselves and their opponents with the use of this device called timing. The best players are indomitable because of it. Players falter when they lose it. It can be the difference between a big win and a big loss. Pay attention to that in all your business endeavors.
I also pay attention to comedians because of their ability with timing. The best ones have an impeccable sense of the power of a pause, a split second, or even a glance. It's amazing to see, and I've learned from both watching and listening to them. Everything can be a learning tool, whether you're in school or watching a great comedian.
I can remember when I was tempted to invest in a large piece of real estate, and something kept me from making the final move. This happened repeatedly, so I decided to wait. A couple of months later, a huge storm damaged the area so badly that I felt I had been spared a big mistake just by responding to my gut feelings. It pays to pay attention to your instincts. The land may have been great, but the timing was wrong.
Whether you're in business or in music, tempo matters. You can destroy a beautiful piece of music by using the wrong tempo, and the same goes with business deals. I'm all for momentum, but there are times when you have to slow down a bit and mind the checks and the time signatures. Being methodical at times does not equal complacency'it's part of a technique, even if it may not appear to be a virtuoso approach.
I watched 40 Wall Street for years before making a move on it. No one knew I was interested in it; there was no such indication from me. But I had a proprietary concern from the beginning because it was a beautiful and historic building. Only much later did my tempo increase enough to indicate I might be interested. I made a lot of money by waiting and watching, close to a $400 million profit, in fact.
Just because an opportunity surfaces doesn't automatically mean it is an opportune time to pursue the opportunity. Be circumspect about things. Be aware of the big picture, and give time a chance to work for you. This takes some practice, and you have to be alert to the nuances involved in the timing'but as Churchill said: 'Continuous effort'not strength or intelligence'is the key to unlocking our potential.' Keep working at it, give it your attention, and when the time is right, don't miss a beat at going for what you want. That's what timing is about.
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Timi ... ealth.html