Warren Buffett on Business: Principles from the Sage of Omaha

Chapter 11. Time Management

We both insist on a lot of time being available almost everyday to just sit and think. That is very uncommon in American business. We read and think. So Warren and I do more reading and thinking and less doing than most people in business. We do that because we like that kind of life.^[]

—Charlie Munger

I have learned an incredible amount from Warren, some of them are things you can express, like really looking at the time on your calendar, valuing as much free time as possible. I love when Warren gets out his calendar.^[]

—Bill Gates

Charlie Rose:

Warren Buffett has constructed a life which enables him to do what he loves in a way that is comfortable and totally productive for him. We talked about how he lives his life over dinner at Gorat's, his favorite steakhouse in Omaha. Give me a sense. Walk through a day with me.

Warren Buffett:

Day, you wouldn't believe today. I come down, and well, I usually read the papers at home. I get up around 6:45 a.m.

Charlie Rose:

Are they papers or on-line?

Warren Buffett:

Mostly papers, but I do click on-line for some things.

Charlie Rose:

You have your favorites listed.

Warren Buffett:

Yeah, I even have the Charlie Rose Show listed. I want to see who's going to be on there. Really, I do. So I get up around 6:45 a.m., but I get in the office around 9:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m., depends on what's going on, I have no schedule to speak of. Here is my date book, just take a look.

Charlie Rose:

This isn't jam packed with appointments. ...