'Could Have Learned Sooner', Bill Gates Discloses Valuable Lesson From His Buddy Warren Buffett

It¡¯s interesting how most of us learn valuable lessons after doing the exact same thing over a long period of time. You would think that geniuses have it all figured out, right? Well, that¡¯s definitely not the case with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have maintained a friendship spanning more than thirty years. Reflecting on the wisdom he's gained from the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway during this time, Gates shared a valuable lesson. He expressed regret for not learning it sooner and emphasized its universal importance: making time in your schedule for increased happiness and productivity.

"It took far too long for me to realize that you don't have to fill every second of your schedule to be successful," Mr Gates posted on Meta's Threads app.

"In hindsight, it's a lesson I could have learned a lot sooner had I taken more peeks at Warren Buffett's intentionally light calendar."

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Bill Gates Confessed About Micromanaging His Every Minute During His 25-Year Tenure As Microsoft CEO

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During his 25 years as CEO of Microsoft, Mr. Gates meticulously managed his time, allocating every minute of his day. He openly acknowledges his reputation as a demanding leader, often sending work requests late into the night.

However, in a 2017 interview with Charlie Rose alongside Warren Buffett, Mr. Gates disclosed a pivotal moment. While he once believed that such an unyielding approach was essential for success, witnessing Mr. Buffett's notably relaxed schedule prompted Mr. Gates to reassess his own methods.

"I remember Warren showing me his calendar ... he [still] has days that there's nothing on it,"

Mr. Gates noted that Mr. Buffett's less hectic schedule taught him a valuable lesson. "You control your time ... It's not a proxy of your seriousness that you fill every minute in your schedule."

"I can buy anything I want, basically, but I can't buy time," Mr Buffett said.

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Bill Gates Recently Said That He Didn¡¯t Believe In Vacations When He Was Young

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Bill Gates himself acknowledged that finding this balance can be a challenge, revealing in a 2023 commencement speech that it took him years to achieve.

"When I was your age, I didn't believe in vacations. I didn't believe in weekends. I didn't believe the people I worked with should, either," Mr Gates said.

"Don't wait as long as I did to learn this lesson," he added. "Take your time to nurture your relationships, to celebrate your successes, and to recover from your losses. Take a break when you need to. Take it easy on the people around you when they need it, too."

Inside Warren Buffet And Bill Gates¡¯ 31-Year-Old Friendship

Two of the wealthiest people on the planet Gates and Buffet go long back. Their friendship began almost 3 decades ago.

Gates Notes

The enduring friendship between Bill Gates and Warren Buffett began in July 1991 during a visit by Buffett to Meg Greenfield, an editor at the Washington Post, in Washington State. Greenfield, a friend of Gates' parents, brought Buffett along to meet them. Despite Bill Gates initially hesitating due to being busy, his mother, known for her sociability, persuaded him to meet Buffett, assuring him it would be worthwhile. Eventually, Gates agreed to meet Buffett before heading to the office. This encounter marked the beginning of their legendary friendship.

Gates changed his mind after Buffett asked him insightful questions that no one had asked before, as mentioned in a 2016 blog post by Gates.

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Buffett, likewise, wasn't initially enthusiastic about meeting Gates, but he quickly warmed up to him. They hit it off during their first meeting, with Buffett noting in 2000 that Gates found him to be an interesting conversationalist, likening himself to an "interesting chimpanzee" to Gates, who was eager to share technical knowledge. Their dinner conversation convinced Gates that Buffett had much to offer, recognizing his deep understanding of markets, people, and how things work.

Their initial meeting, which lasted for hours, transformed their friendship, which has now spanned over three decades. This meeting ultimately led to Buffett pledging to donate the majority of his wealth to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and four other foundations in 2006. Additionally, Gates and Buffett collaborated in 2010 to launch The Giving Pledge campaign, which has attracted over 200 wealthy individuals worldwide to commit to donating the majority of their fortunes to charitable causes.