“You can’t do well in investing unless you think independently. The truth is you are neither right nor wrong because people agree with you. You’re right because your facts and reasoning are right. In the end, that’s what counts.” – Warren Buffett

Since I was a kid, Warren Buffett has been my idol. I just finished the definitive biography of Buffett, The Snowball, by Alice Schroeder.  

The Snowball gives an up close view of how Warren works. Here are three lessons I’m taking into my own investing… 

1. Do Things Your Own Way. In 1956, Warren left his job in New York to start the Buffett Partnership in Omaha. This was a radical act at the time.

“…for a college graduate to become self-employed, to work at home, to work alone, was strikingly unusual in the 1950s,” Schroeder writes.

And in Omaha! Every serious person in finance at the time was in New York. 

But just like in his investments, Warren was content to go his own way. 

2. Keep Reasonable Hours. Everyone talks about 996 these days. But Warren and his partner Charlie Munger never kept such brutal hours.

Warren gets in at 8:30 and leaves at 5:30 sharp. He’ll often do a little reading in the evenings as well. In all, he typically worked around 55 to 60 hours a week. 

His partner Charlie often left the office in time for a round of golf. 

Neither of these guys chained themselves to their desks. Maybe this is why they were able to keep working for so many years. 

3. Pay Close Attention to Current Events. Every day, Buffett reads every word of three newspapers: The Financial Times, The New York Times, and his beloved Wall Street Journal. He also gobbles up financial reports and watches a lot of CNBC. 

Because he’s carefully followed the news for decades, Buffett knows more about what’s going on in the world than almost anyone. 

This lets him spot opportunities.

I’m an inveterate news junkie, so following Buffett’s lead comes naturally. When I read my Wall Street Journal later today, I’ll be thinking of Warren! 

Wrap-Up

If you’re a fan of Buffett, you must read The Snowball. 

The most fascinating parts were the up close view of how he does his job. It’s like looking over the shoulder of the greatest investor in history. 

What you see is surprisingly quotidian: a man coming into a humble office in the Midwest in the morning, reading the paper and heading home in time for dinner. No all-nighters, no raucous trading floor.

Buffett shows what we can achieve if we set a reasonable pace, think for ourselves, and always keep learning. No matter what you do, there’s always more to learn from Buffett.

Have a great weekend everybody!

More on investing:

Warren Buffett Says Goodbye

Using Grok 3 to Manage My Stock Portfolio

How Charlie Munger Taught Warren Buffett About the Power Law

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