Warren Buffett: Why Productivity Advice Is Bullsh*t

Warren Buffett gave a very honest answer to a question from the audience about productivity and making to-do lists in this video, suggesting that many of these "hacks" are probably a waste of time.

[karsteng]

Why do Warren and Charly remind me (in a positive way) of the two Grand Pas in Muppets show all the time? 😂

[kirkNJ]

These guys are great! So refreshing to hear such down-to-earth billionaires.

[ayushzaveri]

Love them. Their minds are so sharp, even at that age, wow

[DigbyOdel-etxx]

The best motivator for productivity in any business is a fair compensation system and a clear, proper workplace where ideals and expectations are made clear and enforced to reduce misunderstandings and lack of productivity. The rest of this is mid management H/R pushing bafflegab and time wasting.

[xhagast]

The thing is that these guys stumbled into common sense business. It helps a LOT to do things the right way, when it happens to also be the easy way. You buy a good company at a price you like or you don't buy ANYTHING. You don't time the market or look for trends. You buy good stuff and keep it. You ignore ups and downs, knowing eventually it will go up and in the meanwhile you will collect dividends. You do business like that and half the battle is already won. And more than half the thinking. And three quarters of the stressing.

[williampalchak]

Don't over think it and don't think while you're resting.

[Brohoyoslo]

Don't stress the little things, don't make important decisions while stressed. Important decisions are stressful.

Build a routine that eliminates the need to think, so that little things are not decided upon and stressful. Preferably a routine that incorporates things you like.

Build a routine that allows you to go with the flow towards the things you want and like.

[userZAKCXKC]

I think the big takeaway here is that he's not a normal person. He has a singular focus on what he wants to do and that's all he cares about. His attention isn't diverted and he has no distractions because he doesn't let himself be distracted because he doesn't care about anything else. The point is that, there is nothing you can do to make yourself a Warren Buffet other than saying "I have one purpose and I am going to be single minded about that purpose and everything else is going to take a back seat." He's not what we would call a "normal person."

[um]

Investing aside, Warren and Charlie are two funny guys.

[stephenfischer]

I remember reading about this moment in The Third Door by Alex Banayan (the guy here asking the question). He got the false tip about Buffet's productivity from someone who lied about having worked for Buffet.

[AIShizzle]

Thank you Warren Buffett for teaching us the things we should've been taught in school

[williamharris]

"Why Productivity Advice Is Bullsh*t" - not one mention of this topic in this clip. "....suggesting that many of these "hacks..." - the only person doing the suggesting is the creator of this clip.

[iiian]

it should be noted that warren is religious about time efficiency and work, he literally doesn't spend a single second on anything outside of purely necessary things for his work. He doesn't know a single thing about the knowledge we take for granted such as youtube videos ;), trivia, popular culture, cooking, laundry, cleaning, because he has never spent a second on it in his life. He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke, doesn't indulge in food, literally not a second is wasted. His complete and total discipline is so normal to him he doesn't even know it!

[JamesToler]

Charlie always brings the show with him! Good stuff!

[solb]

Why waste time listing 25 goals then crossing 20 goals out?

[TotalWealth]

Warren Buffett did not share his biggest tip for productivity:
NO SMARTPHONE!

[johnmichaelreyes]

Warren Buffett is deeply aware of his being human, so rather than fight it, he works with what he can.

[justingrinstead]

So is sales coaching. They literally tell you to pound the phones more! Thanks coach It never occurred to me!

[belindachappstikheiresstot]

We need to put their brains in robots before anything happens to them❤️

[RowanGontier]

As an investor who scans the shore for opportunities, it does seem like that doesn't require much list making. If he was an engineer, or project manager, lists would be more important I feel.
Most of my lists have given little utility, but then, most of the stocks Warren has studied have given little direct benefit. The important thing is to develop your thinking.