I woke up at 4 AM this Saturday, long before the sun even thought about rising. Early mornings are my secret treasure. The world is quiet, the air feels new, and I can slip into the things I love—reading, thinking, and letting ideas stretch before the day begins.
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This week I’ve been completely hooked on Barbara Corcoran’s book, which I picked up last Tuesday. By today I’m already halfway through, because my favorite reading time is right before the shower and before I catch the tram to Docklands for work. But this Saturday was different: I had an open inspection in Heidelberg at 9:45 AM, so I knew I needed to leave Flemington on time.
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Still, Chapter 13 stopped me in my tracks.
“If You Want to Be a Cheerleader, You Better Know the Cheers”

That’s the title of the chapter—and the line that kept me laughing while also teaching a sharp lesson. In it, Barbara recalls her very first meeting with Donald Trump. He had invited her to his office at Trump Tower, unhappy that her market report didn’t mention his prized condo as the top seller.

Barbara remembered her school-days attempt to join the cheer squad and how she learned: if you want to be a cheerleader, you’d better know the cheers. She took that mindset into the meeting. Before facing Trump, she planned her strategy, thought about how to surprise him, and showed she understood the game. By the end, instead of a confrontation, she walked out with his respect—and his support.
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Why It Stuck With Me

I love this story because it’s more than a funny anecdote. It’s a quick masterclass in dealing with people who have big egos and even bigger expectations. Barbara didn’t shrink back; she prepared, stayed confident, and played her own game.

As a real-estate professional myself, that resonates. Whether I’m running an open inspection or negotiating a lease, the “know the cheers” reminder is gold: be ready, know your stuff, and meet people where they are.

So that’s how my Saturday began—coffee in hand, a great book, a burst of laughter, and a little dose of strategy before heading off to Heidelberg. Barbara Corcoran managed to turn an early morning into both entertainment and education, and that’s exactly why I love starting my weekends at 4 AM.
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A picture of Barbara Corcoran from the internet