If you have done any extensive reading on Benjamin Franklin you will realize, all the more, how much of a genius this man was. An entrepreneur, writer, printer, scientist, inventor and the later part of his life a statesman. He was one of the only signers of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. It’s easy to look BACK in history and think with all of his talent, his success came to him easily but you will soon learn of him that even geniuses must follow the laws of success, one day at a time.
The following expert is from a book called ‘Launching A Leadership Revolution’ by Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward, which is excellent for anyone who wants to improve themselves to have positive influence over others.
…There is a story Franklin himself tells in his autobiography about his troubles with relating to people as a young man. A confidant took him aside one day and was both bold and kind enough to share the truth with Franklin that people didn’t like him. Although he was amazingly brilliant, nobody cared. They couldn’t stand to be around him. He was too argumentative and opinionated. His informer even told him that people would see Franklin approaching on the street and cross the road so as to avoid any contact with him. Franklin was devastated. But his reaction to the cold hard truth was perhaps one of the most important components in his meteoric success. As a young man, he decided to do something about it.
First, Franklin began tempering his statements to people so as not to offend. He worked hard to become less dogmatic in his choices of words and tones of voice. Then, a few years later, while sailing from England back to the colonies, he undertook “the bold and arduous Project of arriving at moral Perfection,” commenting that “I was surprised to find myself so much fuller of faults than I had imagined.” So Benjamin Franklin deliberately set out upon a program of personal growth. He selected thirteen virtues he felt worthy of his attention and organized a demanding schedule of improvement and tracking. He would work on one virtue for four weeks at a time, recording his progress or lack thereof, then move on to the next virtue, repeating the cycle over and over throughout several years. Regarding his faults that had surprised him so much, he “had the satisfaction of seeing them diminish.” As an old man he would say about his little project, “But on the whole, though I never arrived at the Perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was by the Endeavor made a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been, if I had not attempted it; as those who aim at perfect writing by imitating the engraved copies, though they never reach the wished for excellence of those copies, their hand is mended by the endeavor, and is tolerable while it continues fair and legible.”
Not just another idea out of the sky! Ben put daily effort into his success!
Franklin’s thirteen virtues were as follows.
1. Temperance
2. Silence
3. Order
4. Resolution
5. Frugality
6. Industry
7. Sincerity
8. Justice
9. Moderation
10. Cleanliness
11. Tranquility
12. Chastity
13. Humility
He would focus on one virtue each week for 13 weeks then begin the process again working on each virtue four times each year. I encourage you all to DO things with specific intent just like one of our founding fathers! Imagine if he would NOT have undertaken this task of improving himself. Would the course of history have been changed?
Happy Independence Day!
Tim Schmidt
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:29 am
great info. I have always thought of Ben Franklin as Americas first true entrepreneur as he he franchised his print shop. On that note have a great 4th of July and enjoy being in the greatest country on earth
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:33 am
Tim,
In my life, once things appear twice, I know I need to pay attention, take notes, and apply it for my own personal edification and growth.
Just this morning while meditating, I was drawn to pick up Og Mandino’s “The Greatest Secret in the World” which on page 16 said “But even Benjamin Franklin had bad habits….and he knew it. Unlike most of us however, he determined to do something about his.” And then Og proceeded to tell in like fashion as you did about the thirteen virtues and Ben’s approach.
And just as you encouraged us to do, it was Franklin’s wish when he wrote “I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit.”
Thanks for the second helping of Ben!
Happy Independence from the Southern most isle in the Caribbean - Trinidad and Tobago
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:12 am
Tim:
Certainly the value and point of this post is not lost on me, but I wanted to point out an error in your text.
In one paragraph you write “He would work on one virtue for four weeks at a time, recording his progress or lack thereof, then move on to the next virtue, repeating the cycle over and over throughout several years.”
In another paragraph you contradict the first by writing “He would focus on one virtue each week for 13 weeks then begin the process again working on each virtue four times each year.”
Great advice but distracting details.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I always enjoy reading about this great persona who left us with so much, Ben Franklin. The Thirteen Virtues and a Favorite Quote of his are always in my line of vision over my desk.
The quote: “Empty the coins from your purse into your mind and your mind will fill your purse with coins and keep it full.”
Ah, to put it into practice, that is life…
Best for now,
Mary
July 5th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
This is a great post. I’ve always admired Ben Franklin, but just assumed he had it altogether from the beginning. Little did I know that he had to work and struggle the same as the rest of us to get past our egos and really take a look at who we’ve become. He took a look and didn’t like what he saw, so he went on a personal improvement mission and changed the world. Amazing stuff.
Suzan
July 6th, 2009 at 5:57 am
Tim,
As a life long Philadelphian, and a history buff, I have had the opportunity to walk the streets Ben walked (Old Philadelphia) many times. What occurred here those many years ago staggers the mind when we consider the US today.
I found the “virtues” as enumerated by Ben amusing when I read the number 12 as Ben was a notorious womanizer. He went so far as to record his advice on the subject. He advised other men not to consider daliances with younger woman stating that middle aged woman were more discreet and more appreciative of the attention.
If we want to speak about a successful businessman a better choice might be Conrad Hilton the founder of the Hilton Hotel empire. Conrad Hilton started each day on his knees thanking God as a daily communicant.
Another truly great man is the living founder of Fastenal, the company with those little stores that are virtually everywhere selling nuts and bolts. He too starts the day as Conrad Hilton did and is the head of a multi-billion dollar home grown business.
July 6th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the gret information. I was wondering, do you know how Ben Franklin make his 13 virtues measureable?
July 7th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Tim:
I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts and emails.
Thank you for your wholesome and helpful style.
I am opening a new franchise in Tampa, FL - I have benefited from your insights and suggestions.