Warren Buffett’s “2 List” Strategy

How to Maximize Your Focus and Master Your Priorities

Warren Buffett uses a simple 3-step productivity strategy to help his employees determine their priorities and actions:

STEP 1: Write down your top 25 career goals You can also complete this exercise with goals for a shorter timeline. For example, write down the top 25 things you want to accomplish this week.

STEP 2: Review your list and circle his top 5 goals Note: If you’re following along, pause right now and do these first two steps before moving on to Step 3.

At this point, you have two lists: the 5 items you circled are in List A and the other 20 you did not circle are in List B.

STEP 3: The Avoid-At-All-Cost List

Everything you didn’t circle just became your Avoid-At-All-Cost list. No matter what, these things get no attention from you until you’ve succeeded with your top 5.

Eliminate ruthlessly. Force yourself to focus. Complete a task or kill it.

The most dangerous distractions are the ones you love, but don’t love you back.

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