“I have met the enemy…and it is me.”
Benjamin Franklin’s success secrets to Conquer Yourself!
The sages of the Talmud asked, ‘Who is a mighty person?’ and answered, ‘He who can control his inclinations or character traits.’
Whether it’s trying to lose weight, break an old habit, reach a goal or build your business, success or failure almost always hinges on how well we overcome ourselves.
Each of us develop over time a set of traits which make up our character. Over 200 years ago, Benjamin Franklin changed his life by devising a method in which he could transform some of his weakest character traits into some of his strongest ones.
From his book: Benjamin Franklin – The Autobiography.’It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into.’
While my attention was taken up and care employed in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another. ….I concluded at length that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be completely virtuous was not sufficient to prevent our slipping, and that the contrary habits must be broken and good ones acquired and established, before we can have any dependence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct. For this purpose I therefore contrived the following method.’
Benjamin Franklin quickly discovered that it wasn’t easy to make a decision and have instant results. As human beings we get used to doing things in a certain way, which become habit forming, once they become a habit, whether positive or negative, they become very difficult to break.
As Benjamin Franklin discovered, it takes strong character, will and discipline to rid of bad habits and replace with good ones instead. Being the brilliant man and inventor he was, he invented a system that would enable him, and many others after him, to actually break those bad habits and negative character traits, and turn them into positive, life-enhancing ones.Even a small improvement in these areas will bring a dramatic increase in success for most people. Here are the 13 Traits to learn and master:
Trait #1 Appreciation (Or Gratitude) – Notice the blessing in everything, big and small. Dwell on the beauty in all I see, hear, touch, taste and smell. Realize that everything is a gift from the Almighty and is put there in order to enjoy and learn from.
Trait #2 Positive Speech – Judge the value of my words before I speak. Speak only what may benefit others and myself. Avoid evil speech/gossip.
Trait #3 Tranquility, Peace, Patience – Interpret everything quietly without undue confusion, excitement, or anger. Be not disturbed at trifles or at accidents common or unavoidable. Whatever is happening in life, be patient. Determine the lesson to be learned in every challenge in order to become elevated. Control anger.
Trait #4 Righteousness – Do unto others as you’d have done unto you, and as they desire to be done unto. Wrong none by doing injuries. Be just by accepting my duties and responsibilities.
Trait #5 Gentleness – The words of the wise are spoken softly and peacefully.
Trait #6 Respect/Honor Others – Be extremely careful with the honor and feelings of others. Strive always to make the other person feel good about himself/herself.
Trait #7 Physical Health – Exercise daily and eat with health and moderation.
Trait #8 Quickness – Do all I need (or have) to do without wasting time (procrastination) and with maximum productivity per moment. Cut off all unnecessary actions. Focus.
Trait #9 Resolution – Resolve to perform what I ought/have chosen to perform, without fail. Act with consistency, as well as persistence. Be diligent.
Trait #10 Order/Cleanliness – Keep all living and working environments both clean and in order. Be organized. Clean, file, straighten up as soon as necessary and right away. A place for everything and everything in its place.
Trait #11 Thrift/Frugality – Use money wisely and for the benefit of all (to do good for others and myself) and with no waste.
Trait #12 Truthfulness – Be truthful in all that I say (based on motivation/intent).
Trait #13 Humility – Understand that I have great ability, but that that ability is a gift from the Ultimate Source of all. Recognize my own weak points in order to improve upon them, but do not dwell on the faults of others. Be a servant-leader.
Daisy Says: You are the greatest creation, become master of your life.
