Warren Buffett offers a unique perspective on crafting a meaningful existence. His advice, though unconventional, is a profound invitation to introspection and deliberate living. He suggests that to determine how one wants to live, it is wise to start with the end in mind and reverse engineer the desired outcome.
“You should write your obituary and then try and figure out how to live up to it,” Buffett said at the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. This unconventional approach to personal introspection challenges us to consider our own mortality, prompting us to reflect on the legacy we wish to leave behind.
By visualizing the narrative of our lives through the lens of an obituary, we gain clarity about our core values, priorities, and aspirations. It compels us to ask ourselves: How do we want to be remembered? What contributions do we want to make to the world? What impact do we desire to have on our loved ones and society at large?
Buffett’s full explanation
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© 2023 David Mazor
Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.