A Timeless Success Formula
July 25, 2007 – 2:20 pmBy Elmer Thomas
Napoleon Hill described this formula as “A success formula that always succeeds when applied.” This formula was created by none other than Benjamin Franklin. Basically, Franklin wanted to leave a formula behind for his son through his autobiography. Franklin came up with a list of essential virtues and a formula to enable them in your every day life.
Following are those principles, plus the formula to enact them in your own life.
THE THIRTEEN VIRTUES
1. Temperance
Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. Silence
Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order
Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution
Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality
Make no expense but to do good to others and yourself, that is, waste nothing.
6. Industry
Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut of all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity
Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice
Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation
Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness
Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
11. Tranquility
Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents, common or unavoidable.
12. Humility
Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
THE FORMULA
To make these virtues habit, they must be practices daily; however, not all at once.
You will need a small booklet with a page for each virtue along with red and black ink. At the top of each page, write the virtue and its meaning. Then with the red ink make 8 columns with 14 rows. The headings for the rows will each of the 13 virtues and the headings for the columns will be the days of the week.
Each time you find a fault you have committed against a virtue mark a black dot in the corresponding table cell.
Concentrate on one virtue for an entire week at a time.
When you have completed the series, complete the cycle again for one year.
Once you have mastered a virtue, substitute it with a new principle or virtue that you wish to develop. Here are some suggestions.
Whether you have read “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” or not, I suggest you take another or first look. It’s good medicine.
Elmer Thomas Jr. is Co-founder of ATL Innovations, Inc., an award winning web and software development company dedicated to bridging the digital divide and ThemBid.com, a service offering free advertising for businesses that makes finding services and products easy for consumers. You can find out more about Mr. Thomas at ATLInnovations.com and ElmerThomas.com.