the first foundation: prioritizing health for a lifetime of fulfillment
“There is no greater form of gratitude than taking care of yourself.”
— Steven Bartlett
Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most successful investors, once sat in front of a small group of college students in Omaha, Nebraska, and offered them his most important piece of advice:
When I was 16, I had just two things on my mind – girls and cars. I wasn’t very good with girls. So I thought about cars. I thought about girls, too, but I had more luck with cars.
Let’s say that when I turned 16, a genie had appeared to me. And that genie said, ‘I’m going to give you the car of your choice. It’ll be here tomorrow morning with a big bow tied on it. Brand-new. And it’s all yours!’
Having heard all the genie stories, I would say, ‘What’s the catch?’ And the genie would answer, ‘There’s only one catch . . . This is the last car you’re ever going to get in your life. So it’s got to last a lifetime.’
If that had happened, I would have picked out a car, but, can you imagine, knowing it had to last a lifetime, what I would do with it?
I would read the manual about five times. I would always keep it garaged. If there was the least little dent or scratch, I’d have it fixed right away because I wouldn’t want it rusting. I would baby that car, because it would have to last a lifetime.
This is exactly the position you are in concerning your mind and body. You only get one mind, and you only get one body. And it’s got to last a lifetime. Now, it’s very easy to let them ride for many years.
But if you don’t take care of that mind and that body, they’ll be a wreck 40 years later, just like the car would be. It’s what you do right now, today, that determines how your mind and body will operate 10, 20, and 30 years from now.
You must take care of it.
Buffett’s wisdom was clear: if we neglect our vehicle—our health—it will deteriorate over time, ultimately failing us when we need it most. His lesson is simple yet profound: how we treat our bodies and minds today determines how they will serve us in the future.
Despite this truth, many of us structure our lives around external pursuits—our education, careers, relationships, and the accumulation of wealth and experiences. These pursuits, while valuable, often come at the expense of our health. We tell ourselves that we will prioritize exercise, nutrition, rest, and mental well-being once we achieve a certain milestone: after graduation, after the next promotion, or after we settle down. However, by postponing our commitment to health, we jeopardize our ability to enjoy these very milestones.
Health is not merely another priority—it is the foundation upon which all other priorities rest. Without good health, success loses its luster, relationships become strained, and the experiences we chase become less enjoyable, if not impossible to partake in. When we neglect our well-being, we shorten our time to savor the fruits of our labor and lessen our capacity to engage with life meaningfully.
Conversely, when we recognize health as our first priority, we gain longevity, energy, and mental clarity, which, in turn, enhance our ability to thrive in other areas. A strong body allows us to perform at our best, whether in professional endeavors or personal passions. A well-nourished mind enables us to make sound decisions, cultivate resilience, and foster meaningful connections. By taking care of our health today, we secure not only a longer life but a more fulfilling one.
Prioritizing health requires daily, intentional choices. It means exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, getting adequate sleep, managing stress, and investing in mental and emotional well-being. These are not luxuries or secondary concerns—they are non-negotiable investments in our future selves. Every step we take to protect and strengthen our bodies and minds is a step toward a richer, more vibrant life.
Buffett’s metaphor reminds us of an undeniable truth: we have only one body and one mind, and they must last a lifetime. By embracing this reality and making health our foremost priority, we unlock the potential to experience our careers, relationships, and aspirations with greater vitality and joy. In the end, the greatest wealth we can ever possess is good health, for it is the foundation upon which all else stands.
“Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.”
— Edward Stanley
