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Unleashing Your Inner Warren Buffett: Life Goals Guide to the 25/5 Rule

Goal Digger
UNLEASHING YOUR INNER WARREN BUFFETT: LIFE GOALS GUIDE TO THE 25/5 RULE

By: Brianna “Bre” Russell | September 5, 2024

Have you ever felt like you’re juggling 25 balls in the air and managing to drop every single one? Welcome to the club! But don't worry, we’ve got a secret weapon straight from the oracle of Omaha himself, Warren Buffett. Introducing the 25/5 rule: the magic formula to help you focus, prioritize, and stop resembling a frazzled circus performer. Let’s dive in with a dash of humor and a whole lot of wisdom.

Step 1: List Your Top 25 Goals
First things first, grab a cup of your favorite beverage (we won’t judge if it’s wine) and jot down your top 25 goals. Yes, all of them. From conquering the business world to finally learning how to keep your houseplants alive. Think big, think bold, and don’t forget those quirky dreams – starting a llama farm counts!

Step 2: Circle Your Top 5 Goals
Now comes the tough part. Look at your list with a discerning eye. Channel your inner Warren and circle the five goals that make your heart sing. The ones that, if achieved, would make you do a happy dance that could rival Beyoncé. This might require a few dramatic sighs and some serious soul-searching. But hey, no one said being a goal-getter was easy!

Step 3: The Great Divide

Here’s where Warren’s wisdom really kicks in. Take the remaining 20 goals and put them on a separate list. We know, it’s hard to let go. But think of these as your “nice to have” goals, while your top 5 are your “must-have” goals. It’s like choosing between chocolate and vanilla – both are great, but you’ve got to pick a favorite.

Why This Works (and Why You’ll Love It)
Distraction Be Gone: Those 20 other goals? They’re like that random sock that always gets lost in the laundry. They just distract you from finding the perfect match. By focusing on your top 5, you’ll stop chasing your tail and start making serious progress. For me, I really had to put my life long goal of becoming fluent in Spanish aside so that I could achieve my goal of selling my business which would drastically alter my life in an impactful way.

Deep Work Magic: With fewer goals, you can dive deep, like really deep. We’re talking scuba diving into the ocean of productivity deep. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish when you’re not trying to do everything at once. And this doesn’t mean you can’t come back to that list of 20 “anti-goals”, you certainly can! Just not until you achieve one of your top 5 goals. So maybe in 10 years I’ll be able to live in Costa Rica for a Summer and become fluent in Spanish (achieving two of my life long goals on that 20 list).

Decision-Making Diva: No more “should I, shouldn’t I?” moments. Your top 5 goals are your guiding stars. If something doesn’t align with them, it’s a no-go.

Motivation Mojo: Crushing your top 5 goals will feel like winning the lottery, minus the awkward photo with a giant check. Each small win will pump you up and keep you motivated.

Putting It Into Practice

Alright, lovely ladies, it’s time to put Warren’s rule to the test.

Here’s your action plan:
Schedule a Goal-Setting Date: Treat yourself to a solo date – candles, music, the whole shebang. Get comfy and start listing those 25 goals. Or reach out and I’ll join you for coffee/wine and we can do this together. I always find sharing my goals brings me more joy and clarity.

Prioritize Like a Boss: Circle your top 5. Remember, you’re the boss here. Own it. Don’t overthink it, go with your gut instinct.

Action Time: Break your top 5 goals into bite-sized tasks. We’re talking fun-sized, like those mini Snickers bars. Manageable and oh-so-satisfying. What is one step you can take for your top goal today? Next week? This month?

Regular Check-Ins: Life changes, and so do goals. Revisit your lists regularly and tweak as needed. Flexibility is your friend. I review my list every week and do this activity every year.

Stay Focused, Stay Fabulous: Keep reminding yourself why you’re focusing on these top 5. And if you need a pep talk or an accountability buddy, I’m always here for you!

Conclusion

So, there you have it – Warren Buffett’s 25/5 rule, Bre style. It’s all about focus, fun, and a little bit of fabulousness. By narrowing down your goals and dedicating yourself to the top 5, you’ll be well on your way to achieving greatness without losing your sanity. You’ve got this!

Bre Russell is a Bay Area native and serial entrepreneur. After ten years of building a girls soccer and leadership business she sold it in 2024 and started FemThrive, an agency that helps women entrepreneurs (aspiring & seasoned) build thriving businesses that give them the freedom they want and deserve. She does this through coaching, consulting, retreats, and hands-on business support. Bre lives in Novato with her 2.5 year old son- Beau, husband- Craig, and doggie- Pichichi. You can find her on the pickleball court, dance floor, winery, or couch reading a feel good travel book. She’d love to hear from you or offer you a free business strategy consultation so reach out at Bre@femthrive.com.