Do you know? I don’t.
But, I think I found a key ingredient. The main item. The “long pole in the tent” if you will.
Where did I find it? In a book.
What book? The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life
It’s on page 623. Right at the bottom.
Again, like most truths, like most great concepts, the answer is simple. Basic. Anyone can do it. Everyone has access to it; doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor; doesn’t matter where you were born; doesn’t matter if you’re royalty or not.
So, it left me wondering … “What’s my excuse?”
After reading this nugget of wisdom, I had to look up from the book. I had an “ah-ha” moment. I can do it. This is something I can do. Nobody can stop me. It’s within my control.
I felt empowered.
Now, I’ll share with you what I learned.
The group sat around the dinner table. A powerful group. A group of very successful people. Two of the most promonent were Warren Buffet and Bill Gates; two of the wealthiest people in the world.
The dinner conversation became a bit more serious when a particular question came up. It was posed by Bill Gates’ father Bill Gates senior. Warren Buffet remembers the question as follows:
“What factor did people feel was the most important in getting to where they’d gotten in life?”
When it was Warren Buffet’s turn to answer, he said one word.
When it was Bill Gate’s turn; he said one word.
They both said the same word.
It seems to me, if these two men feel this is the “most important” factor, then I ought to pay attention. I ought to listen.
The one word is well known. It’s common. It’s something anyone can do. I can do it. You can do it. There’s nothing stopping me from doing it. There’s nothing stopping you.
It’s not just for the wealthy. It’s not just for royalty. It’s for everyone. It’s free. It’s available to all.
What is it?
What is the word?
What is the answer they both gave?
“Focus”
That’s it. Focus.
You’re looking for more?
Sorry. Just focus.
So, I think I will pay attention to this answer. I think I’ll listen to these two very successful businessmen. I’ll stop trying to complicate things. I’ll stop making excuses.
Now, I know the secret.
All I need to do … is focus!