"I’ve created a good environment. All I have to do is think and not be influenced by others." –Warren Buffett

he above quote came from a Wall Street Journal article on how Warren Buffett, the famed investor and head of Berkshire Hathaway, works–keeping the outside world at bay so that he can hear himself think.

I am fascinated by Buffett’s ability to simplify in a business world that loves complexity. This includes simplifying his environment, to free him up to do what he does best–think and make decisions. The article talks about on a recent Wednesday, Buffett received only 13 phone calls and one of those was a wrong number. The corporate headquarters for a multi-billionaire company consists of less than 20 employees. His hands-off approach to managers who run his various businesses allows him to simplify his environment.

This is a good lesson for me. Simplify where things could be overly complicated. Create the type of environment where I have time to think. Listen to my own voice.