Timeless Lessons

Benjamin Franklin

20

Benjamin Franklin was a man of action. Over his lifetime, his curiosity

and passion fueled a diverse range of interests. He was a writer,

publisher, diplomat, inventor and one of the Founding Fathers of the

United States. Self-development was a constant endeavor throughout

his incredible life. Here are his 20 Must-Read Timeless Lessons:

We all know people who constantly talk about the things they are going to

do but rarely ever take that first step. Eventually people begin to question

their credibility. Taking action and seeing the task through to completion is

the only way to get the job done.

Lesson # 1 : Less Talk, More Action

“Well done is better

than well said.”

Benjamin Franklin was not a man hung up on procrastination. He was a

man with clear measurable goals who worked hard to turn his vision

into reality. What are you putting off till tomorrow that could make a

difference in your life today?

Lesson # 2 : Don’t Procrastinate

“Never leave that till

tomorrow which you

can do today.”

You need a plan to accomplish your goals. Charging in without giving

any thought to the end result and how to achieve it, is a sure way to

fall flat on your face. Think like a boy scout. Have a realistic plan of

attack and a systematic approach for getting where you need to be.

Lesson # 3 : Be Prepared

“By failing to prepare, you are

preparing to fail.”

Change is inevitable. The stronger we fight against it, the more time and

energy it consumes. Give up the fight. Focus on proactively making positive

changes, instead of having change merely thrust upon you. Wherever

possible, try to view change as a positive instead of a negative.

Lesson # 4 : Don’t Fight Change

“When you're finished changing,

you're finished.”

There’s a reason we use the expression, movers and shakers. Movers are

the ones who take action, the people who get things done, while the

immovable are sitting around scratching their heads wondering how others

could possibly be so successful. Which group do you want to belong to?

Lesson # 5 : Get Moving

“All mankind is divided into three classes:

those that are immovable, those that are

movable, and those that move.”

We are always running around doing things. We rush from one meeting

or event to the next, sometimes without achieving a great deal. At the

end of the day, how much of our busywork are we proud of? Make your

motion mean something. Focus now.

Lesson # 6 : Avoid Busywork

“Never confuse motion with action.”

If we fear making mistakes, we become scared to try new things. Fear

leaves us nestled in our comfort zone. Staying in your comfort zone rarely

leads to greatness. Taking risks and giving yourself permission to make

mistakes, will lead you to whatever your version of success may be.

Lesson # 7 : Give Yourself Permission to Make Mistakes

“Do not fear mistakes. You will know

failure. Continue to reach out.”

Opportunities are everywhere. The trick is being quick enough and

smart enough to seize them when they arise. Instead of jumping to the

conclusion that something won’t work or can’t be done, allow yourself

the freedom to ask what if?

Lesson # 8 : Act Quickly on Opportunities

“To succeed,

jump as quickly

at opportunities

as you do at

conclusions.”

We all have vices of some description. The key is to keep them under

control or preferably eradicate them entirely. Be kind to those around you,

whether they are neighbors, family, co-workers or friends. Never accept

that you have finished growing as a person.

Lesson # 9 : Continue to Grow

“Be at war with your vices, at peace

with your neighbors, and let every

new year find you a better man.”

Have you ever looked at a successful entrepreneur and thought how lucky

they are? Most of the time, luck has nothing to do with it. Hard work and

sacrifice on the other hand have everything to do with it. Successful people

deal with failure. They tackle their demons head on. They pick themselves

up and keep going.

Lesson # 10 : Keep Going

“Diligence is the mother of good luck.”

Sometimes we just don’t want to see ourselves for who we really are. It’s

much easier to hold onto a romanticized version of ourselves or to simply

view ourselves through other people’s eyes. Start by being brutally honest

with yourself. Follow through with understanding, compassion and acceptance.

Lesson # 11 : Know Yourself

“There are three things extremely hard:

steel, a diamond, and to know one's self.”

If you are using negative self-talk, lying to yourself or indulging in

addictive behavior you are self-sabotaging. Life can dish up enough

challenges without us adding to the mix. Be kind to yourself. Treat

yourself like you would a best friend.

Lesson # 12 : Don’t Self-Sabotage

“Who had deceived thee

so often as thyself?”

There will be days when you want to give up. There will be times when

your energy levels flat line and you wonder why you bother getting out of

bed. Yet you push forward, day after day because you believe in yourself

and you have the determination and strength to back up that belief.

Lesson # 13 : Don’t Give Up

“Energy and persistence

conquer all things.”

Benjamin was definitely onto something with this one. Who hasn’t had the

thought - I wish I could know then, what I know now? Unfortunately there

is no time machine; there is no going back. The key is to wise up as early

as you can to start forging a life of purpose, achievement and happiness.

Lesson # 14 : Wise Up

“Life's tragedy is that we get old

too soon and wise too late.”

Lesson 15 : Waste Not Your time is your life. If you waste your time, you are wasting your life. I’ve

never met a successful person who didn’t value their time. Don’t let other

people waste your time either, why is it when someone wants to “kill an

hour,” they want to kill your hour as well? Protect your time, it can never be

replaced, it can never be replenished, your time is your life.

"Do not squander time for that is the stuff life is made of."

Lesson 16 : Make an Impression

Benjamin Franklin said, “Many people die at twenty five and aren't

buried until they are seventy five.” I hope you’re not dead, I hope you

haven’t achieved all that you’re going to achieve; I hope your best days

are in front of you. I think they are.

“If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either

write something worth reading or do things worth writing.”

Lesson 17 : Accept Full Responsibility For Your Life

What you do with your life is your choice. Ben Franklin’s path was tougher

than most, but he didn’t let excuses slow him down. Never accept any

excuse for your problems, even if your excuse is “a good one.” Excuses

make you look and feel weak and reveal a lack of control over your life.

“Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is.”

Lesson 18 : Expect The Best

High expectations enable you to reach your potential. Benjamin lived

as if things would work out for him as long as he kept moving forward.

“Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen.

Keep in the sunlight.”, said Benjamin.

“While we may not be able to control all that happens

to us, we can control what happens inside us.”

Lesson 19 : To Persuade People, Take Egos Out Of The Equation Take care not to threaten another’s ego, and they will consider your

words. Being a skilled debater, Ben Franklin could usually get people to

agree with him using intellectual force, but he found that people were

easier to persuade if he claimed appearance over fact.

“The modest way in which I propos’d my opinions procur’d them a readier reception and less contradiction; I had less mortification when I was found to be in the wrong, and I more easily prevail’d with others to give up their mistakes and join with me when I happened to be in the right.”

Lesson 20 : Laugh

Laugh early, laugh often, and laugh loudly unless they’re sleeping upstairs.

Having a sense of humor has several life benefits. It lowers stress levels,

makes you more likable, breaks down social barriers. And if you have the

perfect life on paper, but don’t have fun doing it, what’s the point?

“We are all born ignorant, but one

must work hard to remain stupid.”

Thank You Very Much

Sompong Yusoontorn

Bright9977@gmail.com

“It takes many good deeds to

build a good reputation, and

only one bad one to lose it.”

- Benjamin Franklin