Ever get that itch to sell a stock the second it drops? Or jump on a “hot tip” everyone’s talking about? That feeling is your brain chasing a short-term win. It feels smart, but it’s a trap that keeps most investors from building real wealth.
What if the secret to incredible returns wasn’t about being first, but about being the most patient?
Amazon’s Billion-Dollar Napkin Sketch
In the early days of Amazon, Wall Street was furious. The company wasn’t making a profit! But Jeff Bezos wasn’t focused on pleasing suits; he was obsessed with you, the customer.
He famously drew a simple loop on a napkin that explained his entire strategy. He called it the “flywheel.”
It looked like this:
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Lower prices lead to a better customer experience.
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A great experience brings more traffic.
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More traffic attracts more sellers.
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More sellers mean more selection, which improves the customer experience.
It’s a beautiful, self-feeding circle. By focusing 100% on making customers happy, the cash flow eventually followed, creating an unstoppable empire. That’s the power of long-term vision.
Are You Investing or Just Snacking? 🍩
Short-term thinking is like snacking on junk food. It gives you a quick high but borrows from your future health.
In business and investing, this looks like:
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Companies cutting R&D to make this quarter’s profits look good.
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Investors selling a great company after one bad week.
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Chasing trends instead of focusing on true value.
This behavior is driven by a lack of confidence and trust. It’s a frantic attempt to control the uncontrollable.
The One-Word Answer from Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett, one of the greatest investors ever, was once asked what makes him different. His reply was just one word: “Patience.”
Patience isn’t just waiting. It’s the result of having confidence in your analysis and trust in the businesses you own. It’s the superpower that lets you sit still while everyone else is panicking.
For us, this means:
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Think like an owner, not a gambler. You’re buying a piece of a real business.
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Focus on the flywheel. Does the company you own have a deep commitment to its customers?
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Let time do the heavy lifting. The magic of compounding only works if you let it.
The next time you feel the urge to make a quick move, ask yourself: Am I thinking about today, or am I building for a decade from now?
What’s the biggest challenge you face with staying patient in your investments? Let me know in the comments!
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