Postcard from Warren Buffett
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Last year I spent a lot of time working on a business plan involving ebooks. I can’t say that the plan is completely shelved, but it is definitely on hold. Inspired by Timothy Ferriss’s book The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich to contact a famous person, I did. Around Christmas time I wrote Warren Buffett a simple letter. I also included a stamped postcard with my address on it.
Dear Mr. Buffett,
My name is Josh Whitford, and I live in
Sincerely,
Josh Whitford
seasons greetings
A couple weeks later I received my postcard in the mail. The response was “Read, read, read” and nothing more. I do
enjoy reading compared to the majority of Americans who only read 1 book a year. I guess you could say that I read 1200% more than the average American. If you haven’t read lately, feel free to pick up a book, cozy up on your recliner, crack the spine (of the book that is) and enjoy.
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16 Responses to “Postcard from Warren Buffett”
March 1st, 2008 at 1:55 pm
If you are looking for wisdom, I think it is a great answer. I wonder what he would have you read.
CindyS’s last blog post..Is Frugality Becoming Fashionable?
March 1st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I am not sure. I guess it would all depend on what I type of wisdom I would be seeking.
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:40 pm
[…] you need an old boy network to contact famous CEOs? Think again. Here is how one reader contacted the richest man in the world, Warren Buffett. digg_url = […]
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Great Post, with excellent advice. I love to read “4 hour work week is a must for someone seeking to achieve their goals, free up time, and living life, loads of hints.. Lets face it you have to walk the talk.
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Josh,
This is seriously an awesome post. I linked to it from reading Tim Ferriss’s blog. It just goes to show that Tim’s right. These people are not out of our reach.
I think that Buffett gave excellent advice too. I know from personal experience. I probably read more in a year than some small towns. In the past couple years I have read several hundred self improvement and business books. I have really changed the person that I am through reading, studying and using this knowledge to become more aware of myself and other people. It’s been a wild ride.
It’s a great start, and most people never start. But after that, I think you need to get out there and try stuff and make mistakes. Making as many mistakes as possible as quickly as possible is the key to success as long as you learn from each mistake along the way. Or at least not being afraid of totally screwing up.
Zopito DiGiovanni’s last blog post..All About LEGOs
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Elevator speech such as “I’ve created a network of money making websites”. Searching your site came up empty. Also consider these needed elements:
Mission
Vision
Principles
Goals
Budget
Process for evaluating
Robert MacEwan’s last blog post..Funds when you need them.
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:52 pm
He’s right, you know.
Shaun’s last blog post..Paid to Write
May 4th, 2008 at 5:15 am
Good for you, Josh. I’m glad that you sent the postcard, and I’m glad that he replied to you in his no-nonsense way.
Jacob Share’s last blog post..RSS: The Best Job Search Tool You’re Not Using Enough
May 4th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Hi Josh,
I had a similar experience with an author. I was interested in studying ethnobotany (long story)and got the opportunity to hear him speak. After his lecture I met and gave him a self addressed envelope(pre-email days) with some burning questions I had.
About a week later, I received my letter back with his answers and encouragement.
Little things like that, really make a big impact.
Best,
Coop
May 4th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I believe that the biggest step is to just take action. Once you can get yourself up off the couch and to actually do it makes all the difference in the world. For me it is so exciting just waiting for the outcome. I have no idea what is going to happen which makes it that much more fun. I am doing an interview for this blog in a couple days with the CEO of a very large capital investment group. It really isn’t very hard to get in touch with big name people once you try it a few times.
May 4th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I remember reading many years ago that if you spend 15 minutes a day reading about your profession, you’d be in the top 10% of that profession within 5 years. I can personally attest to that.
Jon Christensen’s last blog post..The End of a Decline in Heart Disease
May 5th, 2008 at 8:01 am
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May 5th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Nice!
Thank you for sharing Josh and thanks for the inspiration.
May 8th, 2008 at 2:20 am
Hi Josh,
Thank you for sharing what’s possible, it is very inspiring for me.
I been having trouble to find Warren’s real contact details , would you be able to help me out please.
Thanks heaps,
Amy
May 11th, 2008 at 5:43 am
[…] Postcard from Warren Buffett, by Josh from Unconventional Marketing […]
May 12th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Thanks for the post Josh,
It’s great to see that WB replied to you, I am a fan of “celebrities” who both to take the time to give back.
I echo the sentiments and temper with the read what is relevant to what you are trying to achieve in the moment. So that you can use your knowledge while it’s fresh.
Kind Regards,
Shane
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