In the *Art of the Deal*, I read that when Donald Trump was growing up, his parents would take him to the church pastored by Norman Vincent Peale. [The minister who developed “the power of positive thinking”]
“Believe in yourself!” Peale’s book begins. “Have faith in your abilities!” He then outlines 10 rules to overcome “inadequacy attitudes” and “build up confidence in your powers.” Rule one: “formulate and staple indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding,” “hold this picture tenaciously,” and always refer to it “no matter how badly things seem to be going at the moment.”
Much has been written about “God’s salesman,” and his influence on DJT.
I just pulled my 1952 edition of The Power of Positive Thinking from my bookshelf and will put it by my bed for great reading on a cold, winter night.