Warren Buffet Tells Us How To Be Happy & Successful
There are a few magical names in the business world; Warren Buffett is one of them. When I saw Inc.’s advice drawn from one of Buffett’s speeches to young people, I knew it was obviously a golden opportunity to learn and grow.
Seizing opportunity is one of his key suggestions. He says we should grab it when it comes up, because opportunities will not come up often. Learning his advice has to be opportunity seized.
Buffett’s Opportunity Advice
Invest in yourself before anything else. Get the education and training you need or want, to pursue more opportunities. Break out of bad habits as fast as you can, before they trap you. Know your own strengths and weaknesses so you can capitalize on them. Never risk something you need to get something you don’t need. Face down your fears, you will be stronger for it. Surround yourself with people you admire, they will pull you toward success. Value your time and find work you love.
Love Your Job
The final piece of advice tells us to find work we love, and is the one I have believed in forever. I have always told my kids, and anyone else who would listen, find something you love to do. And then, of course, I believe you will never work another day. Getting up in the morning suddenly becomes a lot more fun, and going to work is something you can’t wait to do.
On the drive in you may be hatching some more new ideas, or suddenly you may think of an inspired way to solve a crucial problem. The point is, your brain is engaged in what you enjoy. I think this works anywhere if you look around. The homemakers who are naturals, actually love what they do. The doctors, teachers, lawyers, artists, accountants and countless other workers that we meet every day, can often be spotted as naturals, or not. If you love what you do it shows.
A while ago I had a young guy ask me if he should cut back his hours to take the glass blowing classes that he wanted to take. His job was a 9-to-5, un-challenging way to pay the rent. But he had seen a glass blowing video and wanted to try it. I encouraged him to go for it. He did and he was labeled a natural in the first class he attended. He loved it and it loved him. When he completed his training in glass, his works were chosen as features for the school. Yes, making room for something that he really wanted to do really made sense.
So wherever you are today, read through Warren Buffet’s advice again and seize the pieces that work for you. That’s got to be time well invested.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Jim Larrison
