Ben franklin autobiography and self improvement month

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But a Quaker friend having kindly informed me that I was generally thought proud, that my pride showed itself frequently in conversation, that I was not content with being in the right when discussing any point, but was overbearing and rather insolent--of which he convinced me by mentioning several instances--I determined endeavoring to cure myself, if I could, of this vice of falling among the rest, and I added humility to my list, giving an extensive meaning to the word.

Franklin goes on to say:

I made it a rule to forebear all direct contradiction to the sentiments of others and all possible assertion of my own.

CHASTITY.
Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

13. RESOLUTION.
Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

5. The worksheet is available to download towards the bottom of this article.

He became known for being a good listener, rarely one to offer his own opinion and a man who everyone liked and admired.

By making these changes to himself Franklin became wealthy, retiring in his early 40s, and then went on to become an internationally celebrated scientist, statesman and inventor.

You Too Can Use Franklin’s Method

You too can use Franklin’s method of reflection upon your own conduct and habits and efforts to modify them.

First decide what you would like to strive to change about yourself.

And what choice do I have? In his intention to acquire each of these thirteen virtues he decided to "fix it on one of them at a time", and this really is the key to the whole process. To use myself as an example, if I'm not punctual for a reason that was preventable (during my punctual week) I will set my morning alarm clock earlier for the following day.

Try Dr. Franklin’s method and see how you might incrementally improve yourself today.

Franklin’s Famous Chart

In his twenties he set out to improve himself in a  measurable, accountable manner.

It is not intended to morph one set of symptoms into an entirely new set of symptoms. What is this plan exactly, and how can we reap the benefits? He first ascertained the qualities that he found most important to cultivate: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity and Humility.

It is not intended to increase list making. I'll finish by reminding you, as I did in the beginning, that I'm not a mental health professional. You might do the same. It was the practice of this process throughout his entire life (well a good chunk of it for that matter) that put him on a path of self-reflection and self-improvement.

Fast forward to today, and what can you and I can glean from this wonderful example of betterment and reformation?

I wouldn't remember the five times throughout the day I was able to recognize a thought as being intrusive and instead I would fret over my inability to resist washing my hands that one extra time.

And so I needed a fresh perspective. His first efforts at self-improvement, however, taught him that good intentions were not enough. I've also gone ahead and included my own personal worksheet, to both demonstrate how best to use the worksheet and to share with you the 'virtues' I've chosen to focus on over the coming year.

All that's left now is to set you up with some basic instructions and to send you on your merry way.