There are few individuals in history who have achieved as much as, and have been as revered, as Benjamin Franklin.
A man so liked, that without ever holding elected office, he became the man chosen to be the face of our country’s highest currency denomination.
Therefore, if you’re out for dead presidents to represent you, you’re sort of missing the hundred dollar bill.
Just an observation.
Benjamin Franklin was able to accomplish such an extraordinary amount in such wide ranging fields for the simplest of reasons.
He was habitual.
For Mr. Franklin was as dedicated, or at least publicly, and retrospectively, to the dedication of self-improvement through will and habit.
Take a look here at his daily schedule:
Now, granted is grueling, take that schedule in addition to his penchant for self-improvement, a perfect version of himself which he hoped to achieve by focusing on what he considered the thirteen most important vices for him to be self-aware and watchful over.
In order to accomplish his goal, Franklin developed and committed himself to a personal improvement program that consisted of living 13 virtues. The 13 virtues were:
TEMPERANCE
Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
SILENCE.
Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
ORDER.
Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
RESOLUTION.
Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.”
FRUGALITY.
Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.”
INDUSTRY.
Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
SINCERITY.
Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
JUSTICE.
Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
MODERATION.
Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
CLEANLINESS.
Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
TRANQUILLITY.
Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
CHASTITY.
Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
HUMILITY.
Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
So, next time you are hoping to make, or face, those large and scary changes of life, make sure like Ben Franklin to buckle down, and to learn that by simply concentrating on making yourself the best version of yourself everyday, amazing things can happen.
