5 success tips for young Indians from Warren Buffett’s early years

Have you ever seen a building come up from scratch. I did see one come up from my window in the last 2 years. For almost over a year of it, all I saw was a huge crater being dug. It just kept growing. I was fed up of the noise throughout the day, but they just would not stop. And then one day, the digging just stopped, and in the next few months I saw the huge crater being filled and a 25-story building come up there. It took more time for the crater than the entire building.

Because the foundation is the most important. Whether it is life, family, money, business or anything else. And that’s what the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett knew since he was a kid delivering papers in the morning.

Before he turned 30, Warren Buffett had built a solid foundation for the life to come. It was simple, comforting, and packed with wisdom. Here are five things he achieved or learned before 30, that will inspire you to build a life you love, with relationships that shine.

1. Look For Your Calling Early

By his 20s, Buffett was all in on numbers, reading business reports like they were adventure novels. At 11, he bought his first shares; by 30, he was running his own ventures. He wasn’t after quick wins; he found what kept the fire within him burning. “The most important investment you can make is in yourself,” he says. In India, where most young people are often nudged toward “safe” careers like engineering or government jobs, finding your passion is like finding a best friend, it decides how interesting your life could be.

Learning from Buffett, young Indians must always remember this… BE CURIOUS! Start small but be curious. If you’re a student, try new hobbies! Maybe writing poems or try fixing a gadget or may be try to get ahead with AI… Anything to find what clicks. If you’re a parent, think about what makes you smile, like gardening, storytelling, or shopping, and carve out time for it. “Never give up searching for the job that you’re passionate about,” Buffett advises.

Set aside 15 minutes a day to explore something you love, and it could be anything. Join a local class or watch a free YouTube tutorial to test the waters. In India’s fast paced life, being available for yourself to find your passion could be tough, but keep in mind the pay-off for whenever it clicks. Like it is said, if you love what you do, you will never ‘WORK’ another day in your life.

2. Build Strong Relationships

Buffett didn’t just hustle alone in his early days; he built relationships that lasted a lifetime. He married Susan at 22 and leaned on mentors like Benjamin Graham for wisdom. “It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behaviour is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction,” he said. He knew his good friend and partner, Charlie Munger for almost 65 years. Munger passed away in 2023.

In India, where culturally the importance of family and friends is almost penultimate, look for the emotional anchor. Those family lunches and neighbourhood chats, relationships are like gold, they keep you steady.

Prioritize people who push you to get better. If you’re a student, find a teacher or senior who inspires you and ask for advice. Ask for help when in need.

If you run a business, chat with customers who share your values. “You will move in the direction of the people that you associate with,” Buffett once said. Have real heart to heart talks with your parents, meet a friend, or help a sibling.

In India’s busy life, this could mean skipping a Netflix binge to visit your grandparents or saying no to an after-office hours work call to play with your kids. Write down three people you admire and reach out to one today. Strong bonds make life easier.

3. Learn to Say No

By 30, Buffett was a pro at saying no, skipping distractions like parties or quick schemes to focus on what mattered! his work, his learning, his family.
“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything,” he says. In India, where we’re pulled by family events, social media, or extra work, saying no is like finding a quiet corner in a noisy market.

Practice setting boundaries. If you’re a student, say no to extra group projects that drain you and focus on your studies. Learn to say NO to kids for extravagant demands, say no to illegitimate requests.

“You’ve got to keep control of your time, and you can’t unless you say no,” Buffett insists. Start by listing your top priorities like health, family, or a hobby. When something doesn’t fit, politely decline: “I’d love to join, but I’m busy.” Saying no to things you don’t want to do protects your peace and keeps relationships first.

4. Simple Living

The world’s most successful investor who is worth billions of dollars, is not into flashy things. As a kid, lived modestly, saving cash for his dreams, not to show off. “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving,” he says.

In a country like India, where big weddings, new phones, and festival splurges tempt us, simplicity frees you to focus on what lasts.

Embrace small, joyful moments over flashy ones. Not having the next iPhone or that new laptop or swanky car is not the end of the world.

“There seems to be some perverse human characteristic that likes to make easy things difficult,” Buffett said once.

In India, with prices climbing for everything, simplify by cutting one expense, like the thousand-rupee dessert disguised as coffee, and redirect that time and money to more important things in life. Plan a game night with friends or a long drive with your family. Start simple… Skip one splurge this week, like a mall trip, and spend an evening learning a new skill. Simplicity builds a life as warm as a home-cooked meal.

5. Learn to Give Back

Buffett started giving back young, sharing his knowledge with friends and laying the groundwork for his massive charity work. “If you’re in the luckiest 1% of humanity, you owe it to the rest of humanity to think about the other 99%,” he says.

In India, where neighbours help during monsoons and families rally for festivals, giving back connects you to others and lifts your spirit. Be the one people look up to in times of need. And it is not only about money. It could be anything like your time, attention, expertise etc.
Start small but give often. “The only way to get love is to give love,” Buffett says.

Make a habit: once a week, do one kind act, like buying a chai for a street vendor, feeding the poor, a guest lecture at your own college. Just a smile at someone or a book, to someone who needs it. Giving builds bonds stronger than a brick wall, making your life and relationships richer.

Make it a Lifestyle

India in 2025 is growing fast. Cities growing, dreams soaring, everyone chasing something big. But it’s also tough: exams, family duties, the pressure to stand out, EMIs. Buffett’s early years are like an instruction manual. He wasn’t a flashy kid; he was a hustler who loved what he did, built friendships, and stayed true to his belief system. From selling newspapers to starting his own company, his life shows that making tough choices early in life have a big payoff.
His quotes, like “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago,” urge us to start now. In India’s rush, Buffett’s way of life, finding passion, building bonds, saying no, living simply, giving back are a beacon of light. They’re not for billionaires; they’re for you, the student, the executive, the parent, the entrepreneur…

• Chase Your Passion: Spend 10 minutes today doing something you love, like painting or singing. Learn something new.
• Build Bonds: Call a friend or family member for a real chat, no distractions.
• Say No: Learn to say NO to anything that doesn’t spark joy and use that time for yourself.
• Keep It Simple: Have a family movie night at home instead of a fancy outing.
• Give Back: Share something small, like a dinner with friends you haven’t met in a while.

Buffett’s early years prove you don’t need to be a star to shine. Just be curious, true, and kind. “Price is what you pay, value is what you get,” he says. It means chasing real value! Passion, relationships, simplicity, the joy of giving. Start planting your tree today.

The purpose of this article is only to share interesting charts, data points and thought-provoking opinions. It is NOT a recommendation. If you wish to consider an investment, you are strongly advised to consult your advisor. This article is strictly for educative purposes only. 

Suhel Khan has been a passionate follower of the markets for over a decade. During this period, He was an integral part of a leading Equity Research organisation based in Mumbai as the Head of Sales & Marketing. Presently, he is spending most of his time dissecting the investments and strategies of the Super Investors of India.

Disclosure: The writer and his dependents do not hold the stocks discussed in this article.
 
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