Warren Buffett: A College Student's Perspective

Free advice is worth the price – especially when it comes from Warren Buffett.

In this post from Small Business 2.0 writer Brian Halligan, Warren Buffett covers many topics including: investments, business ethics, friendship, decision making and the “ovarian lottery.”

Out of the many topics Brian Halligan highlights, I found three that related most closely to me, a college student in the baby stage of his career.

1. Forget About Super Man and Spider Man.
Warren Buffett and Bill Gates both agreed that if they could have any super-hero power, it would be the ability to be the fastest reader in the world. Personally, I read books like a maniac, subscribe to a dozen business-related blogs and websites, and have a subscription to The Wall Street Journal.

2. Success via lemonade stand.
Buffett read a study that researched the most closely-correlated value to success. What was that value? It’s the inverse value of the age that you started your first business (lemonade stand, newspaper route, lawn mowing, etc.) I started my first "business" when I was 16 years old, when I bought and resold used surfboards.

3. Don’t be superficial.
Make decisions based on how you feel about the decision and not what others say is the “best decision.” In short, listen to your heart.

My questions to you, College Student:
1. When was the last time you picked up a book and absorbed its material?
2. Do you have a business idea in mind? Go make it happen!
3. Buffett advises that you reverse-engineer your life to what you want to be when you're 70 years old. Then map out your steps and strategy of getting there!

And what's this? A bonus!

Bonus: Don’t multi-task.
Warren Buffett admitted in the interview that his most important skill was the ability to focus. Sorry Generation-Y, but Warren Buffett says that you close your AIM windows, turn off your television, and lower the volume on your iTunes player. Focus takes precedence over multi-tasking.

A Castle Is Only As Good As Its Foundation

This one is simple: to thank my family for always keeping my feet planted. Because as we all know, your castle is only as good as the foundation that holds it up.

With all the things going on (read the blog title for a quick list), I felt a deep sense of relief taking a red-eye flight with a final destination of home. With my laptop bag, portfolio and recent “must read book” in hand, I stepped into the 747 cabin with a late night adrenaline rush from the excitement of going home.

Eighty minutes later, I bookmark my book to the cue of “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to San Jose Mineta Airport. Air temperature is 53 degrees.”

I make my way down a few escalators, get my baggage from carousel B, then head to the arriving flights sidewalk. In minutes, my Mom pulls up in her black 1999 Volkswagen Passat – with two coton de tulears jumping in the back seat.

I step into the sedan’s warm, leather cabin. My mom gives me a quick kiss, smiles and says, “You’ve lost some weight. Let’s get some In & Out.”

Number 1, protein style with a Diet Coke please…

Blog from Small Business 2.0: Buffett and Gates

From Small Business 2.0.

"Learning from the Legends: Quick Insight from Buffett and Gates"

The blog, written by Brian Halligan, gives highlights from an interview with Bill Gates and Warren Buffet during a University of Nebraska speaking event. These two men have contributed much to the world; their insight and wisdom - as seen in the blog - shows why they're so successful.

Some of the subjects they covered are: ethics, decision-making, reading, "the most important skill," life, career advice and a suggested way of predicting success.

Enjoy the article!