Sunday morning reflections
Yesterday, I listened to about half of the Berkshire Hathaway 60th Annual Shareholder Meeting. As always, Warren Buffett shared not only investment insights but also deep wisdom about life. A few things he said stayed with me — and I wanted to write them down, both to remember and to share.
1. “Patience is not a constant asset, nor a constant liability”
Buffett said that “patience is not a constant asset, nor a constant liability.”
This struck me deeply. Sometimes we think patience is always good. But he reminded us that it depends on the context:
- Don’t be patient when a deal makes sense — act quickly.
- Don’t be patient when people are just talking things that will never happen.
- But do be patient when you’re doing the hard, slow work of learning and preparing — so that when the right opportunity comes, you’re ready.
I loved how simply and truthfully he explained it. It resonates well with what my 1st mentor used to tell me that a strength overplayed can become a weakness and life isn’t always black and white.
2. Surround yourself with people who shape you well.
Buffett also spoke about what’s important for young people who are just starting out in investing and work. He said the first job isn’t just about salary — it’s about who you work with.
He emphasized that the people we associate with have a profound impact on us. The boss you work under, the colleagues around you — we pick up habits, ways of thinking, and values from them, whether we realize it or not.
He also said something beautiful: “When you find wonderful people in life, treasure them. They’ll have good intentions for you. They’ll help you. And you should do the same for them.”
That made me pause and reflect:
- What kind of friends do I keep close?
- What kind of work environment am I part of?
- And maybe most importantly — what kind of environment am I helping create for the people around me?
Buffett’s words were simple, but they carried weight.
It reminded me that our environment is not just something we inherit — it’s something we shape, every day, by how we show up for others.
Inspired by Warren Buffett’s remarks at the 2024 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder Meeting.