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Warren Buffett's journey highlights the blend of ambition and happenstance that shaped his success. His early life lacked a grand plan, yet his passion for investment prowess was evident from childhood. Starting with collecting bottle caps and fingerprinting nuns, he found his zeal in studying stocks and business models, leading him to develop a deep-rooted belief in self-reliance and independence.
Buffett's investment philosophy emerged from his encounters with like-minded shareholders and the tutelage of Ben Graham at Columbia University. His absorption of Graham's concept of intelligent investing underpins his dedicated focus on value and long-term growth. Rejecting divergent paths, Buffett foresaw his model as a compounding engine, predicated on controlled risk and meticulous capital allocation.
In the evolution of Berkshire Hathaway, Munger's impact on Buffett's investment style was pivotal. Shifting from the 'cigar-butt' approach towards acquiring excellent companies, Buffett recognized profound wisdom in Munger's teachings. The pivotal decision to purchase Berkshire Hathaway, initially perceived as a failed venture, underscored Buffett's acknowledgement of missed opportunities and lessons learned.
Warren Buffett's admiration for intense and relentless business figures like Ben Rosner reflects his belief that intensity is the price of excellence in business. Buffett valued individuals like Rosner who displayed unwavering dedication to their craft, even going to extreme lengths like counting sheets of toilet paper to ensure the best deals. This focus on passion and commitment in business resonates with Buffett's own approach to seeking out relentless and intensely driven business partners.
Buffett's inability to balance his intense focus on work with personal relationships led to significant regrets, notably in his marriage and family life. His failure to prioritize his wife's needs and spend time nurturing personal connections resulted in profound emotional losses. Despite his immense financial success, Buffett acknowledges that true success is measured by the love and respect one receives from others, emphasizing the importance of relationships and genuine connections over monetary achievements.
What I learned from reading The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder.
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[0:01] What he was teaching were the lessons that had emerged from the unfolding of his own life
[4:35] The dichotomy of Warren Buffett
[9:20] Warren Buffett wants to be remembered as a teacher
[11:52] Buffett’s idea of Inner scorecard vs Outer scorecard
[13:49] Warren Buffett’s early family life
[18:03] Learning to avoid the habit of thinking in only one direction (18:03),
[24:30] Warren’s WHY
[29:58] A young troublemaker and how Warren’s dad convinced him to change his behavior
[32:20] Warren did what you are doing right now: Since a young age Warren had studied the lives of men like Jay Cooke, Daniel Drew, Jim Fisk, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jay Gould, John D. Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie.
[33:48] Turning a rejection into one of the best things to ever happen to him
[38:30] Mimicry instead of independent thought: Warren didn’t understand why they couldn’t see what was right before their eyes.
[42:20] One of the most inspiring things about reading biographies is you are constantly reminded that we all have the ability to improve. A young Warren Buffett was so afraid of public speaking he would vomit.
[48:06] Warren learning from and working with his idol: Ben Graham
[52:20] Warren’s advice for everyone: Sell yourself an hour a day
[57:28] Intensity is the price of excellence and examples of people Warren wanted to do business with
[1:01:08] Warren Buffett is an obsessive/Munger would later call Buffett an implacable acquirer, like John D. Rockefeller in the early days of assembling his empire, who let nobody and nothing get in his way. (1:01:08),
[1:13:10] Warren Buffett on his biggest mistake
[1:16:11] What Buffett valued in the lives of others/His idea about claim checks
[1:19:25] His “Twenty Punches” approach to investing
[1:22:38] Warren’s answer to the question, “What has been your greatest success and greatest failure?”
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