Book: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Started: Feb. 16th, 2017
Finished: Feb. 20th, 2017
A small book, but dense AF. I was very surprised by how much I ended up liking this book.
Seriously, Ol’ Ben Frank knew how to work a quill.
One of the most fascinating attributes of this remarkable man was precisely how unremarkable he was when he began. The youngest of poor family in the new world, he started without the advantage of status. He wasn’t super smart nor was he particularly lucky. I think what ultimately led to his stellar successes was his curiosity, his shrewdness and his altruism. Those attributes, compounding over time reaped incredible dividends.
I was compelled to take notes as I read, below I’ve attempted to sum up my takeaways in no particular order:
- Live below your means; avoid the frivolous.
- Fine food and drink should be a treat, not a habit.
- Always be reading.
- Writing allows you to organize your thoughts and improve your ability to communicate.
- Pay it forward; help beginners.
- Surround yourself with people who challenge you to be better.
- Work hard, reputation will follow.
- Don’t share your plans with everyone.
- Learning to write well will pay for itself.
- Personal image IS marketing for your brand. Acting with integrity will cause people to believe your “product” is of quality too.
- In business be strategic, effective and honorable.
- It’s ofter easier to sell someone else’s product rather than your own.
- Be helpful.
There is much, MUCH more to this story than these 13 points. These merely constitute what I wrote down my first time reading it. If you’re at a point in your life where you feel you need some insight, I highly recommend taking some time to flip through the pages of this man’s story.
If that tirade doesn’t convince you, it’s free for kindle (including the phone App) on Amazon. Just takes a small investment of time.
Happy reading.
— Michael
Here’s a link back to the index: url
