There was a quote from Warren Buffett at this year’s annual conference that made the entire auditorium of tens of thousands of people laugh: “And I didn’t have to do a damn thing.” (Temporarily translated as: “And I didn’t have to do a damn thing.”)
Listening to it, it seems extremely humorous and leisurely.
However, for me, it is one of the most profound and valuable lessons about money thinking, career development strategies, and how to build a deep life.
1. Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders’ Meeting: Experience at “Woodstock of investors”
This year, I have a very special opportunity to attend the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway in Omaha. Accompanying me on this trip is Dr. Herman – the previous head doctor at his clinic, who has now chosen “early retirement” to enjoy life.
For those who don’t know, Berkshire Hathaway is one of the largest and most prestigious multi-industry investment corporations in the world. Leading this corporation is none other than the legendary Warren Buffett – whose net worth is currently ranked 12th globally.
Every year, tens of thousands of shareholders, managers and investors from every corner of the world come together to the city of Omaha, Nebraska. People affectionately call this event the “Woodstock of investors”.
Because beyond the framework of a dry financial report, this is truly a great cultural festival for people who are passionate about learning how to think about money, operate business, and the art of creating sustainable assets over many generations.
At the meeting, Berkshire Hathaway’s board of directors shared in great detail with shareholders the overall business picture: How much revenue did they achieve last year, how effectively the subsidiaries in the ecosystem operate, and what are the notable financial indicators in the first quarter of 2026.
But for me personally, the most valuable thing after the trip is not in those tables or financial report numbers.
It lies in the experience of directly sitting in a giant auditorium, quietly observing how the world’s leading business empire thinks about the value of time, risk management, and the power of ultimate patience.
2. “I don’t need to do anything” – The paradox behind the $185 billion Apple deal
In his sharing, Warren Buffett told a story that made me remember forever.
He said that about 10 years ago, Berkshire Group made a strategic decision to disburse an investment worth about 35 billion USD in Apple shares. To date, that initial investment asset has grown phenomenally and reached about 185 billion USD.
And right after that, he humorously dropped a joke that made the whole auditorium burst into laughter:
“And I didn’t have to do a damn thing.”
It sounds counterintuitive, but if you think carefully, you will see that the philosophy behind this statement is extremely profound. That is the most eloquent testament to the power of making the right choices and knowing how to take advantage of the right leverage.
Once you have chosen the right people to trust, the right business to partner with, the right system to operate and the right long-term strategy, the system wheel will automatically turn to make a profit and create value for you. You absolutely do not need to work hard yourself, “selling your life and plowing” every day to maintain it.
3. The trap of haste: Why do many people fail despite making the right choice?
But to achieve a state of freedom and leisurely watching that sweet fruit ripen, people’s biggest barrier is not just the ability to make the right choice at the beginning.
The most difficult challenge is the ability to remain steadfast and absolutely patient with your own choices.
- That’s the case in the world of financial investment.
- This is the case in the long-term career development roadmap.
- The same is true in the learning journey and fierce exams.
- And building a life with depth is absolutely no exception.
It is a fact that many people fail and give up midway, not because they made a wrong decision right from the starting line.
They failed simply because they made the right choice, but they themselves did not have enough patience to wait for the results.
Having only gone a short distance on the journey, they began to doubt the path they had chosen. After only a few months without seeing clear results, they hastily changed direction. And just seeing the people around them seem to be going faster than them, they immediately fall into a state of confusion, low self-esteem and doubt their own abilities.
However, all the greatest and most lasting values in this life have never been created from haste and haste.
It must be the result of foresight (long-term vision), careful selection from the beginning, and then a steadfast and persistent spirit long enough for your seeds to have enough time to take root deep in the ground before sprouting, sprouting and bearing fruit.
Conclusion
Besides the hours of serious professional meetings, this year’s event is truly an extremely vibrant and bustling festival. With the presence of a series of brands in Berkshire’s ecosystem, attending shareholders can experience promotional shopping areas, enjoy outdoor picnic food, and immerse themselves in a lively music space.
It is an extremely different and liberal feeling – where the boundary between a financial conference and a festival honoring rich thinking and long-term business thinking is blurred.
As I left, a quiet thought remained in my heart:
In this life, sometimes we don’t need to make an effort to do more things. What we really need is to learn how to make better choices. And once you’ve made the right choice, learn how to keep your mind calm enough to not ruin the good results with your own impatience and selfishness.
What do you think about this humorous but philosophical joke from Warren Buffett? In your career or life, have there ever been times when you accidentally lost a great opportunity just because of a lack of patience? Please leave a comment below to share your perspective with me.
If you feel that these contemplations really bring useful value to your personal development journey, please comment “YES” right below this article!
Dr. Christina Nguyen
Phoenix Medical Academy
