"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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Resources

The
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

The Habit Factor app

The
Habit Factor template

The Habit Factor book

Big Brothers Big Sisters

 

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