The Foundation of Success

“You only have to do a very few things right in your life so long as you don’t do too many things wrong.” — Warren Buffett

As we roll into November, today marks the start of my 14^th consecutive year of consistent blogging, a practice that began in an unexpected way back in 2011. I had just completed a life-changing course at the University of Nebraska-Omaha called “The Genius of Warren Buffett,” taught by Professor Bob Miles. The experience was intense and unforgettable.

Four of us, myself plus three friends: Munro, Stephanie, and Kelly, committed to a six-week journey that required meeting up somewhere in Kansas City, piling into a car, and making the 2.5-hour drive to Omaha. We’d arrive just in time for Saturday classes from 2-9pm, spend the night at the Courtyard by Marriott across the street, then return for Sunday sessions from 8am-3pm before driving home.

Professor Miles promised to teach us everything about Warren Buffett: the man, the myth, the legend. We studied his investment philosophy, management style, and what he was like as a husband, father, son, politician, and philanthropist. The culmination was a team project where we had to develop an investment idea using Buffett’s approach and present it to a panel of experts.

There was just one expert on that panel: Warren Buffett. In addition to a tasty lunch – complete with cheeseburgers, French fries, ice cream sundaes, and Cherry Cokes – there we were, presenting our analysis directly to the Oracle of Omaha himself.

That mind-blowing experience inspired me to start blogging. Following rules loosely tied to what used to be known as “National Novel Writing Month,” I’ve written consistently every day during every November ever since… launched a business… and have the rare privilege to get up each morning and get to do what I want by pursuing my purpose. With Warren’s announcement of his retirement at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting earlier this year, this November feels especially meaningful. These 30 posts are my tribute to “Uncle” Warren – the person who inspired me to launch my company and taught me that success comes from doing a few things exceptionally well.

So, grab an ice-cold Coca-Cola, break out your favorite variety of See’s Candies, sit back, relax, and read on… Here’s to another month of reflection, growth, and the timeless wisdom that continues to guide us all.

Happy Networking!