295-Year-Old Secret For Success & Happiness!

You just never know what you’ll find in an old farmhouse…

While I was in Dublin, Georgia at my inlaws farmhouse, I came across an old book that contained Ben Franklin’s secret to success and happiness (known as his 13 Virtues).

What Ben would do is work on improving on something he struggled with for an entire week.

In fact, he’d create a little index card with the virtue of the week and keep it in his pocket at all times.

Then he’d move on to the next virtue for week two… and then week three, etc.

After thirteen weeks, he’s start over and do it again (repetition).

So after one year, he’d be laser-focused on each of his 13 virtues four different times.

Here are Ben Franklin’s original Thirteen Subjects/Virtues:

• Temperance – eat not to dullness, drink not to elevation
• Silence – speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversations
• 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 employed 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
• Tranquility – 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

I made a few tweaks to incorporate some issues that I’ve been struggling with.

Here are the 13 virtues I’m personally committed to improving upon:

• No negative thoughts, words, deeds, or gossip
• Think in terms of other’s interests
• Silence (listen more)
• Smile (choose to be happy)
• Appreciation and praise to others
• Moderation
• Health (work out and eat non-processed foods)
• Love and kindness
• Order (cleanliness)
• Tranquility (don’t be disturbed or stressed by anything)
• Generosity (give at every opportunity)
• ACTION
• Humility (be like Jesus)

Enjoy this episode and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

295-Year-Old Secret Discovered For Success & Happiness! [PODCAST]

Thoughts?

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