[Please note: This is not an article about politics, political beliefs, or politicians. It is about personal development, positive thinking, and Norman Vincent Peale.]

Whether you like Donald Trump or not, the fact that he was elected president is quite amazing.

Think about it.

Here’s a man who ran for the office of president of the United States of America, ostensibly the most powerful position on Earth, against a group of seasoned and experienced experts in their field who were backed by organizations who were more or less “king-makers.” The state, the press, and even a lot of the voters were against him.

Yet he prevailed.

So how did he pull it off?

Pundits and historians will be debating that for many years to come.

But you and I will know exactly how he did it.

And it isn’t anything these people will theorize.

Not many people know this, but Donald Trump was an avid follower of a man — a minister — who preached a gospel of positive thinking and success.

A man whose first book began with the words “Believe in yourself!”

A man known by some as “God’s salesman.”

That man was Norman Vincent Peale.

Norman Vincent Peale (1898 – 1993) wrote The Power of Positive Thinking, which is one of the most influential (and best-selling) books about success of all time. His words, whether they were read in print, heard on the radio, or experienced in person, changed the lives of countless people for the better.

If you’re unfamiliar with Mr. Peale, here are eight great quotes that will get you started.

If you know who he is, then here are eight great quotes that you should commit to memory because they will help you to attain all that you wish to achieve.

The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.

A lot of people nowadays, everyone from Elon Musk to Tony Robbins to Barrack Obama, aver something similar. If you want to live an exciting and fulfilling life, then live for something bigger than only satisfying your desires.

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.

You simply must have faith in yourself. If you don’t, then begin doing so It might take time, but you must do it. And here’s the kicker: it’s all mental. It’s all in your head. Believe in yourself!

Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.

When in doubt, do something. Action breeds more action and will lead to success.

Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.

I just heard Tony Robbins say something very similar: “Resources are never the problem. It’s a lack of resourcefulness.” How many people blame their circumstances on what they don’t have? Stop it! You have — or can have — everything you need. Think.

Live your life and forget your age.

Exactly. Nothing more needs to be said here.

Don’t duck the most difficult problems. That just ensures that the hardest part will be left when you are most tired. Get the big one done—it’s downhill from then on.

Success is often defined as effectiveness and effectiveness is defined as what we get done. Stephen King write in his book Insomnia, “Each thing I do I rush through so I can do something else.” Be like that. Get things done.

There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.

Have you ever noticed that it’s not the most intelligent nor the most poised person that you enjoy or follow? No, you usually like or follow the most enthusiastic person. Enthusiasm is contagious; it feels good. And you have a choice: you can be the person who gets enthused and leads or you can follow.

Commit these quotes — or at the very least their meaning — to memory.

Reflect on them.

Read Norman Vincent Peale’s books. Combine his ideas with Charles F. Haanel‘s Master Key System and before you know it, we’ll be voting for you!

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You’ll like these books because people voted for them at one time or another.

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