Warren Buffett calls him the smartest man he knows: Charlie Munger.
Together they've built a $699 billion empire. And his speeches are a masterclass in decision making, rationality, and success. Charlie Munger is an American businessman, lawyer, and investor. He is the Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate led by Warren Buffett, and is considered to be one of the most successful investors of all time. Munger has been a partner and advisor to Buffett for over six decades and together they have built Berkshire Hathaway into one of the largest and most successful companies in the world. Munger is known for his wit, wisdom, and his unconventional approach to investing, which focuses on finding undervalued businesses with strong management teams and holding them for the long-term.
Here're 10 of his best ideas to help you win at business and life:
1. "Knowing what you don't know is more useful than being brilliant."
Most people spend their lives wrestling with the consequences of poor decisions. But the truth is it's much easier to avoid stupidity than try to be smart.
Admit you know nothing. Remove ego from the equation.
2 "A majority of life's errors are caused by forgetting what one is really trying to do."
We set goals, pursue them, then get distracted.
To achieve something meaningful, you need to constantly correct course.
Set a north star and keep it front of mind.
3. "Mimicking the herd invites regression to the mean."
If you do the same as everyone else, you'll get the same results.
But most people are:
• Unhappy
• Unfulfilled
• Unmotivated
Following society's standards traps you in them.
Be bold. Go against the grain.
4. "To get what you want, you have to deserve what you want."
Naval once said the world is an efficient place.
You can't control results, but you can control your:
· Character
· Work ethic
· Willingness to learn
Earn what you want.
5. "The fundamental algorithm of life – repeat what works."
It's easy to overcomplicate success.
But the truth is everything you do creates feedback. Smart people listen.
When something goes poorly, do less.
When something goes well, do it much more.
6. "Those who keep learning, will keep rising."
Most people stop learning at 18. Munger is still going at 98.
Knowledge is an asset that compounds over time.
The more you know, the better you think. Better choices, great consequences.
Schedule time to study.
7. "You don't have to be brilliant, only a little bit wiser than the other guys, on average, for a long time."
Berkshire Hathaway is valued at $991.89 billion.
Buffet and Munger's approach?
Rationality and patience.
It isn't a sexy approach, but the results sure as hell are.
8. "The best thing a human being can do is help another human being know more."
The best way to live your life is in service to other people. Especially now with the online opportunities.
Be generous with your ideas. Share what you know and help others win.
9. "We insist on a lot of time being available almost every day to just sit and think."
We live at a time of constant input. Everyone wants to maximise every moment for productivity.
But life is cause and effect.
Decisions are the key to success. Time to think is the priority.
10. "You must know the big ideas in the big disciplines and use them routinely."
Principles from:
· Maths
· Physics
· Biology
· Philosophy
· Engineering
All have a profound impact on life.
Study mental models. Build a toolkit. Treat your mind like your greatest asset.
Charlie Munger is an American businessman, lawyer, and investor. He is the Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate led by Warren Buffett. Munger has been a partner and close confidant of Buffett for over 50 years, and he is widely considered to be one of the most successful investors in history. Munger is known for his wisdom and insight on a wide range of topics, including investing, business, and personal development. He has also been a mentor to many successful investors and business leaders.