Warren Buffett is widely regarded as one of the most successful investors in history. With a net worth of over $72 billion, he’s consistently listed among the richest people on the planet. Known for his disciplined approach to value investing, Buffett’s advice carries serious weight whenever he chooses to share it.
Recently, I stumbled across a powerful quote from him — one that really stuck with me. He was talking about an investment opportunity that’s available to everyone, no matter their background or bank balance. In fact, according to Buffett, it’s something you can’t put too much money or effort into.
So, what’s the one investment he believes is a no-brainer?
It’s yourself.
Why Buffett says investing in yourself is the smartest move
When asked about the best investment anyone can make, Buffett doesn’t point to stocks, real estate, or cryptocurrency. Instead, he says, “By far the best investment you can make is in yourself.”
He believes that improving your own skills, health, and mindset is the single smartest way to build a better life — financially, emotionally, and socially. “If you invest in yourself, nobody can take it away from you,” Buffett said in a recent interview. It’s an asset that appreciates over time and compounds just like money, but even more powerfully.
In other words, no market crash, no economic downturn, and no outside force can steal the value you build inside yourself.
4 key ways Buffett says to invest in yourself
Buffett doesn’t just leave it at a high-level idea — he gets specific about how to do it. Here are four of the most important ways he says to invest in yourself:
1. Master communication skills
Buffett is crystal clear about this: learning how to communicate effectively can change your life.
“If they just learned to communicate better — in writing and in person — they could increase their value by at least 50%,” he says.
He jokes, “If you can’t communicate, it’s like winking at a girl in the dark—nothing happens.”
Buffett even took a Dale Carnegie course early in his life to improve his speaking skills, which he credits as one of the most valuable things he ever did. He emphasizes that if you can clearly share your ideas, influence others, and build strong relationships, you’ll have a huge advantage no matter what field you’re in.
2. Take care of your body and mind
Buffett uses a great metaphor here. He says if you were given one car for your entire life, you would treat it like a treasure — maintaining it carefully, fixing every scratch, and reading the manual cover to cover.
Then he adds, “You only get one mind and one body. And you can’t start taking care of it when you’re 50. By that time, you’ll have rusted out.”
Translation? Start taking care of your health early. Exercise, eat well, sleep enough, and manage your stress. A healthy body and mind are your foundation for success over the long haul.
3. Choose your influences wisely
Buffett stresses that the people you surround yourself with can shape your entire future.
“You will move in the direction of the people you associate with,” he says. “Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.”
He also says your choice of spouse is probably the single most important decision you’ll ever make. Choosing a life partner who challenges and inspires you can make all the difference.
It’s a simple but powerful reminder: your environment matters. Surround yourself with people who make you better.
4. Have the right heroes
Throughout his career, Buffett has always emphasized the importance of having role models.
He recommends picking a few people you admire and consciously trying to learn from them — how they think, how they act, and how they handle challenges.
But he also gives a warning: “Pick very carefully who you want to emulate.”
Not all successful people are worth following, and not all paths lead to a good place.
A surprising definition of success
Beyond money, Buffett has a very different view of what real success looks like.
He says, “If you get to be 65 or 70, and the people you want to have love you actually do love you, you are a success.”
In his eyes, no amount of wealth, awards, or fame matters if you’re not surrounded by people who genuinely care about you. It’s a humbling reminder that personal relationships and character are more important than any investment account balance.
What about financial investing?
When it comes to actual money investments, Buffett still keeps things simple.
He famously recommends that most people just put 90% of their money into a low-cost S&P 500 index fund and 10% into short-term government bonds.
He warns that many people get caught up trying to “move around” too much — trading constantly, chasing hot stocks, reacting to news. He compares it to buying a farm or an apartment: you wouldn’t check its price every day or sell it every week.
His advice? Buy great businesses (or a simple index fund) and hold them. Let time and compounding do the heavy lifting.
Final thoughts
It’s easy to assume that Warren Buffett’s biggest advice would involve complex stock picks or secret investing formulas.
But the truth is much simpler — and much more powerful.
The best thing you can invest in isn’t a stock, a house, or a business.
It’s you.
Your skills, your health, your relationships, and your mindset are the real assets that will determine the quality of your life.
And as Buffett wisely points out: nobody can ever take those away from you.
