"I hope, therefore, that
some of my descendants may
follow the example and reap the benefit." ~Benjamin
Franklin
When it comes to personal
development very few know that the great grandfather or the great,
great grandfather of PD is
Benjamin Franklin.
It's hard to find a more
prolific American than Benjamin Franklin yet most people don't know
that at a young age Ben believed himself to be abrasive, brash and
argumentative and wrote about this in his
autobiography.
He outlined thirteen virtues he
hoped to assume as he matured. He was determined to start tracking
each virtue, one per week, and would move to the next virtue
rotating through all thirteen throughout the course of each
year.
1. Temperance.
2. Silence.
3. Order.
4. Resolution.
5. Frugality.
6. INDUSTRY.
7. Sincerity.
8. Justice.
9. Moderation.
10. Cleanliness.
11. Tranquillity.
12. Chastity.
13. Humility.
YES! The path to virtue is via HABIT and this story got Martin thinking a lot about the similarity of tracking habits to achieve goals and Ben's process of tracking habits to develop and refine his virtues.
Aristotle shared that Virtue is long-standing habit.
Martin shares this story to prove
to ANYONE (who is committed) that they have within them the
capacity AND a proven process to improve
themselves.
Martin ends the episode with some of his favorite Ben Franklin quotes:
"Your net worth to the world is what you get when you subtract your bad habits form your good ones"
"Early to bed and early to rise
makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise"
"A penny saved is a penny earned."
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man."
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Subscribe ResourcesThe Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Paperback)
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (FREE) Gutenberg.org
Napoleon Hill The Science of Personal Achievement
Napoleon Hill, Think & Grow Rich
