I’ve always been fascinated by how people view success and handle their money.
Growing up, I was surrounded by different takes on what it means to be “wealthy.” Some believed success was about making large sums of money as quickly as possible. Others emphasized saving every penny and living frugally.
However, I never quite understood where I personally stood on the matter until I began reading about legendary investor Warren Buffet. His approach to both money and personal growth completely reshaped my understanding of what “making it” truly means.
Here are five lessons from Warren Buffet that transformed my perspective on success and money.
01 Think long-term, not just for today
One of the biggest insights I’ve gained from Warren Buffet is the power of thinking long-term.
Most people, including my younger self, get caught up in the idea of quick wins. We want to see immediate results—whether it’s making a fast profit or rapidly climbing the career ladder. But Buffet’s entire philosophy revolves around patience and persistence.
He once said, “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” This quote really hits me. It reminds me that any substantial goal—whether it’s building a solid investment portfolio or simply improving myself—requires time to grow.
And sometimes, those short-term gains we chase can actually sabotage our chances of bigger, more meaningful rewards down the line.
I remember back when I was in my early twenties, I got caught up in trying to flip quick freelance gigs for instant cash. I was basically jumping on anything that popped up: copywriting, editing, ghostwriting—constantly hustling.
While I did earn some money, I noticed I wasn’t developing much expertise in any single domain. This scattershot approach left me feeling drained, without a clear vision for my future.
What changed? I started focusing on writing in a niche I genuinely cared about: the psychology behind everyday decisions. Once I shifted that mindset from “make cash fast” to “build expertise over time,” my work took on a new level of quality and consistency.
I stopped chasing the next quick buck. Instead, I planted seeds by refining my craft and eventually, that resulted in better-paying opportunities that also felt more fulfilling.
Warren Buffet’s approach is a constant reminder to me that our greatest returns—financial or otherwise—often come from patience, consistency, and playing the long game.
02 Focus on value, not price
“Price is what you pay; value is what you get.” This is probably one of Buffett’s most famous quotes, and it’s as relevant to daily life as it is to the stock market.
It might sound obvious, but how many times do we focus on price tags without considering the bigger question: Is this truly worth it?
I’ve fallen into this trap before. I’d see a “deal” and jump at it because it looked cheaper or had some big discount sign slapped on it. Often, these “bargains” turned out to be low-quality or completely unnecessary items.
Over time, I noticed the same principle applied to other areas of life. For instance, I once accepted a job that had a decent immediate salary but offered no real growth potential or purpose. It looked attractive on the surface, but it lacked the deeper value I was searching for.
We do this socially too. Sometimes, we invest our time in activities or relationships we know are draining because they appear beneficial at first—maybe we see them as a quick path to an opportunity. But in reality, they don’t align with our core values.
When I started focusing on the true value of how I spend my time—choosing purposeful work, meaningful friendships, and items built to last—I found more satisfaction and fewer regrets.
Buffett’s words keep reminding me that a cheaper price doesn’t automatically mean better value. Whether I’m buying something new or committing to a project, I try to gauge the long-term worth before I jump in. And often, paying a bit more (or investing more time) upfront for something that delivers lasting returns is the smarter choice.
03 Guard your reputation fiercely
One of the things Warren Buffet highlights a lot in interviews and letters is the importance of personal reputation. He’s known for saying “It takes 20 years to build a reputation but only five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”
I’ve seen firsthand how a single impulsive decision can unravel years of trust or goodwill. I used to be pretty carefree with my commitments—especially online. If an old friend asked for help on a project, I’d enthusiastically say yes. Then, life would get busy, and I’d fall behind. More than a few times, I found myself ghosting on commitments I couldn’t keep.
Guess what happened? People stopped taking me seriously.
It’s difficult to rebuild trust once you’ve lost it, especially when it’s something that needs consistent effort and time to regain. Observing Buffet’s advice, it’s clear that he views trust, character, and honesty as essential assets.
Since reflecting on his perspective, I’ve been more intentional about how I manage my promises and interactions. If I can’t do something, I say so upfront. If I commit to a deadline, I meet it or communicate early if circumstances change.
04 Learn to say “no” more often
This is perhaps my favorite one.
Buffet famously said, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.” This lesson took me a long time to understand because I used to be a serial “yes” person.
I was often stretched so thin that I barely had the energy for the things that really mattered to me. Accepting every invitation, committing to every new project, trying to please everyone—it’s an easy trap. But that approach left me feeling exhausted and, ironically, unproductive.
Interestingly, this doesn’t just apply to big career or business decisions. Even on a smaller scale, learning to say no to trivial daily temptations—like the endless scroll on social media—can have a massive positive effect.
Suddenly, you gain control over the one resource that’s truly limited: your time. Because we can never get time back, we have to be intentional about how we spend it.
05 Keep learning, no matter your stage in life
Lastly, one lesson I deeply value from Warren Buffet is his commitment to ongoing learning. He reportedly spends much of his day reading.
When I first heard that, I remember thinking: Here’s one of the richest men in the world—someone who could literally just retire and buy an island—and he chooses to keep learning daily. That blew me away.
This continuous learning isn’t just about money-making strategies; it’s about fostering curiosity and evolving personally. I’ve always enjoyed reading, journaling, and reflecting on ideas that push me to expand my perspective. When I discovered how vital this habit is to Buffet’s success, I doubled down on making it a non-negotiable part of my routine.
I now set aside a chunk of time daily for reading. Sometimes it’s in the morning with a cup of coffee; other times, it’s during a mid-afternoon break to recharge. It’s not always finance books either—I dive into psychology, minimalism, philosophy, or biographies of inspiring figures who overcame hardships. The idea is to keep my mind active, broaden my thinking, and pick up insights that might help me be more resilient.
To sum up
These five lessons from Warren Buffet have shaped how I view my future goals and daily habits.
Instead of chasing quick wins, I focus on planting seeds for the long run. Instead of picking things based solely on price, I gauge true value. I protect my reputation as carefully as I protect my wallet. I embrace the power of “no” and guard my time. And I never stop learning.
No matter where you are in your journey—just starting out, deep in the grind, or even feeling pretty good about your progress—I think there’s always something new to take away from Buffet’s wisdom.
As always, I hope you found some value in this post.
Keep on the up and up.
