‘Don’t Be in a Hurry’: David Solomon Shares His Grandmother’s Career Advice

For Goldman Sachs chief executive David Solomon, a lasting career lesson came from his grandmother: “Don’t be in a hurry.”

Solomon recalled receiving the advice in his twenties during a rapid-fire conversation with NBC News journalist Christine Romans. The interview covered his morning routine, how he protects his time and the personal habits behind his approach to work.

A career lesson he has shared before

The grandmother’s advice is a longstanding part of Solomon’s public message. An earlier post from Goldman Sachs’ official LinkedIn account also recorded him crediting her with the same guidance, describing a career as a journey.

That history adds context to the remarks: patience is a principle Solomon has returned to over the years, rather than a lesson mentioned only in the latest coverage.

His message also appears in advice to younger colleagues. In a 2023 LinkedIn article addressed to interns, Solomon encouraged newcomers to appreciate the experience and remember that an internship represents the beginning of a much longer working life.

What David Solomon does before 7 am

Asked about three things he typically does before 7 am, Solomon listed getting up, visiting the gym and usually having coffee with a protein shake.

He also described making deliberate choices about his schedule. His emphasis was on recognising that time cannot be recovered and following through on commitments.

Taken together, the comments suggest two different priorities: using the working day carefully while allowing longer-term ambitions time to develop. A tightly organised morning does not require every career decision to happen quickly.

What research says about time management

There is research supporting the broader connection between managing time and quality of life.

A 2021 paper published in PLOS ONE, titled Does time management work? A meta-analysis, examined relationships between time management, performance and well-being. Researchers Brad Aeon, Aïda Faber and Alexandra Panaccio found moderate associations with job performance, academic achievement and well-being.

The authors also found that time management was more strongly related to well-being, particularly life satisfaction, than to performance. These findings do not establish that copying a particular executive’s routine will produce the same results.

Commitment to interests, with room for changing ambitions

Solomon also described becoming intensely involved in subjects that interest him. His preference, he explained, is to commit fully rather than participate half-heartedly.

That determination has not meant pursuing every childhood ambition indefinitely. During the conversation, he acknowledged that professional basketball was a dream he eventually relinquished.

For readers considering their own careers, the distinction is useful: commitment can guide daily effort, while patience leaves room to learn, reconsider ambitions and recognise opportunities that take time to emerge.