This week I read Walter Isaacson's magnificent new
biography of Benjamin Franklin and it truly deserves the
acclaim it has received. I've read several biographies of
Franklin and earlier this year I read Edmund Morgan's book
which is also good (and shorter), but Isaacson has achieved
something remarkable in capturing the man and his story.
One of the things Franklin is most famous for are the 13
virtues he listed early in his life and then pursued on a
weekly basis for the next 50 years. Many people criticize
them for being too materialistic, but how many of us ever
take the time to list our values and commit to living them
out? I think it's a remarkable achievement and his list
contributed to his personal success, and to the building of
our nation.
On his list, two items stand out and I would add a third.
1. Industry.
Throughout his life, Franklin was an entrepreneur, but for
him "industry" meant more than being busy. As far as I
know, he was the first to point out the difference between
being "busy" and getting things done. Peter Drucker has
become famous for that distinction, but I credit Franklin
for noticing it 200 years earlier.
Franklin was the first to caution against being distracted
by the many invitations, temptations and challenges of
modern life. Today he would talk about the temptation to
become either a "television junkie" on the one hand, and
the temptation to join every club and attend every meeting
on the other. Throughout his life, Franklin was FOCUSED!
He was gregarious, enjoyed pubs and joined many
organizations. He was active in his community, but he also
practiced moderation. He knew how to get things done. He
knew the importance of achieving his goals and sticking to
his priorities. When it was time to work, he produced.
I think we confuse busy-ness with productivity. Franklin
would encourage us to "do less and achieve more." It's a
lesson worth pondering.
2. Frugality.
Franklin knew the value of living within our means. If
modern society tempts us to be busy, it definitely tempts
us to spend. There are so many toys, so many diversions,
so many products and services, and credit cards make it
easy to have them all, but Franklin would not have fallen
for it.
If I can paraphrase him, he understood the importance of
maintaining adequate "reserves" in our lives. Too often we
live on the edge, straining our finances, our energy, our
schedules and other resources. Franklin knew the
importance of showing up rested and ready for the day.
He knew that no one does their best when they are tired,
worried, distracted or rushed. He knew that being "broke"
is no way to live the good life. Live within your means.
3. Charity.
Generosity and making a contribution do not appear on
Franklin's list of virtues, which is curious since he
constantly sought to make a difference. He developed
lending libraries and universities. He contributed time
and enormous energy to politics and to improving society.
He fought for justice and in the 1730's he spoke out for
women's rights.
Even though it was not named on his list of virtues, he
understood that industry and frugality without generosity
leads to greed and a narrow, tedious life.
I know I will get emails and comments pointing out that Franklin
certainly had his faults. Who doesn't?
The point is not that he was perfect. He wasn't. But we
ought to read biographies not to prove that great people
are flawed, but to see what we can learn from their
experience. We ought to read self-help books, use audio
programs and attend seminars not to find one that magically
solves all our problems, but for inspiration to do our
best, to be our best.
biography of Benjamin Franklin and it truly deserves the
acclaim it has received. I've read several biographies of
Franklin and earlier this year I read Edmund Morgan's book
which is also good (and shorter), but Isaacson has achieved
something remarkable in capturing the man and his story.
One of the things Franklin is most famous for are the 13
virtues he listed early in his life and then pursued on a
weekly basis for the next 50 years. Many people criticize
them for being too materialistic, but how many of us ever
take the time to list our values and commit to living them
out? I think it's a remarkable achievement and his list
contributed to his personal success, and to the building of
our nation.
On his list, two items stand out and I would add a third.
1. Industry.
Throughout his life, Franklin was an entrepreneur, but for
him "industry" meant more than being busy. As far as I
know, he was the first to point out the difference between
being "busy" and getting things done. Peter Drucker has
become famous for that distinction, but I credit Franklin
for noticing it 200 years earlier.
Franklin was the first to caution against being distracted
by the many invitations, temptations and challenges of
modern life. Today he would talk about the temptation to
become either a "television junkie" on the one hand, and
the temptation to join every club and attend every meeting
on the other. Throughout his life, Franklin was FOCUSED!
He was gregarious, enjoyed pubs and joined many
organizations. He was active in his community, but he also
practiced moderation. He knew how to get things done. He
knew the importance of achieving his goals and sticking to
his priorities. When it was time to work, he produced.
I think we confuse busy-ness with productivity. Franklin
would encourage us to "do less and achieve more." It's a
lesson worth pondering.
2. Frugality.
Franklin knew the value of living within our means. If
modern society tempts us to be busy, it definitely tempts
us to spend. There are so many toys, so many diversions,
so many products and services, and credit cards make it
easy to have them all, but Franklin would not have fallen
for it.
If I can paraphrase him, he understood the importance of
maintaining adequate "reserves" in our lives. Too often we
live on the edge, straining our finances, our energy, our
schedules and other resources. Franklin knew the
importance of showing up rested and ready for the day.
He knew that no one does their best when they are tired,
worried, distracted or rushed. He knew that being "broke"
is no way to live the good life. Live within your means.
3. Charity.
Generosity and making a contribution do not appear on
Franklin's list of virtues, which is curious since he
constantly sought to make a difference. He developed
lending libraries and universities. He contributed time
and enormous energy to politics and to improving society.
He fought for justice and in the 1730's he spoke out for
women's rights.
Even though it was not named on his list of virtues, he
understood that industry and frugality without generosity
leads to greed and a narrow, tedious life.
I know I will get emails and comments pointing out that Franklin
certainly had his faults. Who doesn't?
The point is not that he was perfect. He wasn't. But we
ought to read biographies not to prove that great people
are flawed, but to see what we can learn from their
experience. We ought to read self-help books, use audio
programs and attend seminars not to find one that magically
solves all our problems, but for inspiration to do our
best, to be our best.
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