Buzz
In today's world, knowledge workers still measure success through efficiency and productivity. We admire writers who can churn out 10 articles daily and turn to investment experts for advice on the best trades to boost our portfolios. But what if we reconsidered this approach? What if, instead of focusing on sheer action and output, we prioritized learning, insight, and quality? Essentially, what if we adopted a mindset more like Warren Buffett’s?
Of course, we’d all love to emulate Buffett, or at least enjoy his financial success. While that might not be in the cards, by incorporating some of his habits and insights—like the Learner’s Lifestyle—we could enhance both our work and our lives.
As Michael Simmons, an author, writes on Medium, “in a knowledge economy, learning and thinking are the single best long-term investments you can make in your career. Learning and thinking determine our decisions. Then, decisions determine our results.” This idea applies across professions, whether you’re an investor, designer, writer, or entrepreneur—where taking the time to reflect and analyze is crucial to success and quality work.
This contrasts with the traditional manager’s schedule, which divides the day into one-hour blocks, or the maker’s schedule, which focuses on half-day work segments. “The Learner’s Lifestyle optimizes for insight over coordination and output. While the manager’s schedule centers on coordination and the maker’s schedule on output, the Learner’s Lifestyle is all about gaining insight.”
This means having a flexible schedule with ample 'free' time to reflect. It contrasts with the typical 30-minute per task mindset. Instead of focusing on completing tasks or ticking off boxes, you emphasize freedom from distractions, perspective, and effectiveness over mere efficiency.
Warren Buffett exemplifies the success of this approach because 1) he’s undeniably successful, and 2) he places learning and thinking above simply doing tasks to get things done. Simmons points out that there are years when Buffett makes no investments. “The trick in investing is just to sit there and watch pitch after pitch go by and wait for the one right in your sweet spot,” he’s quoted as saying. “And if people are yelling, ‘Swing, you bum!,’ ignore them.”
Of course, not everyone has the luxury of time to do this. It wouldn’t be well-received if I told my editors that I planned to wait around for the next year for the perfect article idea to come to me. In the knowledge economy, you still have to work for your pay.
However, to live a life that allows the space to adopt the Learner’s Lifestyle, you can seek out jobs and industries that value insight over profits and make learning and reflection a daily priority.
This involves carving out time to read, absorb new information, learn new skills, and practice them.
Not everyone will have the chance or the means to pursue flexible careers, and anyone who does will face sacrifices, just like in any job. However, adopting a Learner’s Lifestyle means valuing insight over action for the sake of action, and focusing on value over mere productivity. That’s a fulfilling way to earn a living.
