25/5 – Powerful Rule To Set Your Goals Right

The 25/5 rule also known as Warren Buffett’s 25/5 rule, is one of the most famous rules to help you prioritize your goals. It is a simple yet very powerful tool if used with intention and focus. 

Warren Buffett is considered one of the most successful investors in the world. His business practices, philanthropy, practical approach to life, and intelligence have inspired many people and studies.

The Story Behind The Rule

The story behind this rule involves Buffett’s pilot Flint. It is not clear whether the story is a folk tale or it really happened. Nevertheless, the rule is real.

So, the story goes that one day Buffett approached his pilot Flint, after learning that he had been already working for him for 10 years. Buffett told Flint that if he had been working for him for 10+ years as a pilot he failed him. He added that Flint should have started working on his goals for the future long ago.

Bennett gave Flint a task. He asked him to make a list of the 25 goals/project he wanted to achieve in the near future.

When Flint brought the list Bennett asked him to choose the top most important 5 goals and put them at the top of the list. When Flint completed the task Bennett told his pilot that the top 5 goals on the list are the ones he should start working on immediately with his undivided attention. Then, Bennett asked what Flint was going to do with the other 20.

Flint replied that he would focus on the top 5, but will continue working on the other 20 whenever he had the time or an opportunity to do so.

Bennett replied:
“No. You’ve got it wrong. Everything you didn’t circle is your Avoid-At-All-Cost list. These things get no attention from you until you’ve succeeded with your top 5.”

The Lesson Of The Story

Our lives are filled with distractions, starting with our constantly buzzing phone messages going all the way to permanent multitasking. We rarely focus on just one task. Even if we intend to do so, we are still running a couple of more tabs in the background with other projects we want to do.

The lesson of the pilot’s story is that we must focus on what is important and stay focused until the task is completed. This is the only way we can achieve our goals and move forward fast with a job well done. Anything else would be a compromise either on the quality or the time of its completion.

How To Implement The 25/5 Rule In Our Lives

Following the rule is a very straightforward process. All that is required is a little bit of your time, a little bit of focus, and something to write on. So, let’s start:

1. Set aside around 30-40 minute with undivided attention to the task
2. Make a list of the 25 goals/tasks/projects that you want to achieve in the near future. They can be in any area of your life that you would like to change or improve (leisure, health, relationships, family, study, personal growth, career . . .)
3. Circle the 5 most important ones and put them at the tops of the list
4. Set SMART* goals for the 5 you circled
5. Avoid the other 20 AT ALL COST while working on the top 5.

Even if an opportunity comes for some of the other 20 goals say “No”. Do not distract yourself with other projects. Stay focused on the task. We often feel overwhelmed and not capable of completing the current task because we take on too many things at the same time that keep us distracted and hard to remain focused.

Resources

Download a PDF worksheet to help you with setting your 25/5 goals. 

* SMART goal is used to help guide goal setting.  

S – Specific
Set a specific goal. A specific goal would be “To learn to dance the tango by taking classes”. An unspecific goal would be “To learn to dance”.

M – Measurable
How you will know you achieved it? For example, “I will be able to complete one full tango dance” (not just a few steps).

A – Achievable
When setting the goal make sure you have the capability and the resources to achieve the goal, i.e. there is a dance studio within reach that runs classes after you finish work.

R – Realistic
I know people older and busier than me who learned to dance the tango. I can do it also. This is a good skill to have. I enjoy dancing.

T –  Timely
I will take 2 dancing classes every week for the next 4 months. I will be able to do the tango at my parents’ wedding anniversary party in 4 months’ time.

Conclusion

For the last year, I started working intentionally and mindfully on achieving my goals. It took a lot of work and a big amount of self-discovery. I learned new habits and shifted around my daily work routines. It was worth all the work. Being mindful of my time and how I work and organize my time helped me so much in achieving my goals in a timely manner.  My only regret is not doing it sooner. I am not a naturally organized person. 

Have you tried using the 25/5 rule before? How did it go? What did you find useful and what was more challenging? What other rules and principles do you use to keep motivated and focused on your goals? Please share your experiences below, so others can also learn from them. If you’d like you can contact me directly.

I offer a free 1-hour discovery session for new clients. I would love to talk to you and help you get on the road to becoming the best version of you.

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