Benjamin Franklin is one of the most famous people in American history, and his success was due largely to an excellent work ethic. He was a man of many talents, not just one-half the founder of America. This article will learn from his life lessons to become successful!
In 1729 Benjamin Franklin left Boston for good. He settled in Philadelphia with several writings under his belt already – having been an author since he was 18 years old when his Poor Richard’s Almanack became wildly popular among readers all over Europe.
Franklin was always known as one of the hardest working men in business and is now considered one of America’s founding fathers. So, the following are life-changing lessons from Benjamin Franklin to make you successful in your own life.
1. Early to Bed, Early to Rising
Benjamin Franklin was a very early riser, often waking up around 5 am every morning. This allowed him a lot of time to do work in the quietness of early dawn, and his success is due largely to this habit he formed while still a young man.
He believed that you should get up early so you have more time to get things done rather than sleep in and rush out the door with hardly any time to get anything done.
2. Read! (And Don’t Skim)
Franklin was an avid reader his entire life, even when he had very little money for books. He read many of the great works of literature published up until that time.
Even though he was very busy with family, work, and civic life, Franklin always read to increase his knowledge in all areas. He believed “there is much profit (good gain) and pleasure (good delight) in books”. So don’t skimp on your reading time. Instead, make sure to dedicate enough of it to your schedule – even if you have to get up earlier like Franklin.
3. Be Nice (For Success)
Franklin believed that being good and treating people well will help you be successful in life and business: “He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you have obliged”.
So be nice to everyone and always return the favour when someone is gracious enough to help you.
4. Think Big (For Success)
Franklin was a very creative and imaginative person and often thought big instead of small in his daily life, including business. “Big” thinking encourages you to think about what you want and then work towards it instead of only thinking about the present moment.
One example of this is how he was constantly looking forward into the future when considering business ventures: “I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. The best way of doing good to the poor is not making them easy in poverty but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth, I travelled much, and I observed in different countries that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course, became poorer.”
5. Be Honest (For Success)
Franklin was known for being very honest in his life, business dealings, and civic duties. He wanted others to be honest because he saw the benefits of an open society, which included fairness and impartiality for all parties involved, with no one getting special treatment or receiving favours.
He even once published an article called “The Art of Virtue”, where he listed 13 different virtues needed for success in life. One of these virtues was honesty, which is required to succeed in any other virtue you seek to obtain.
6. Be Accountable (For Success)
Franklin always stood up to his responsibilities and took full responsibility for his actions – even when they didn’t go as planned. He believed that by admitting to mistakes and not covering them up, he would win the trust, which helped him become successful.
When someone pointed out an error in his writing or work, Franklin was the first to admit it and correct it right away instead of trying to cover up his mistake. He understood that one part of being accountable is owning up to your own mistakes and taking responsibility for them, which he refused to do.
7. Work Hard (For Success)
Benjamin Franklin had more than one job throughout his life: a printer, author, postmaster, inventor, scientist, musician, and politician. He believed in working hard at everything he did to become successful.
“If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting.
The Indies have not made Spain rich because her Outgoes are greater than her Income. He that spends upon his Pleasures what he gets by his Fortune will in one Year beggar himself; but he that spends upon his Fortune what he gets by his Pleasures, will in one Year make himself rich.”
So be willing to work hard and sacrifice to obtain the success you desire. These sacrifices may include but are not limited to: time, money, comfort, health – all of which will then pay off for you later on in the long run.
8. Read, Write and Speak Well to Be Successful
Franklin constantly read through books to gain knowledge and improve his writing skills – which allowed him to be a successful writer and author later on after he retired from the printing business. This is why he reminded himself of what he needed to do daily to become more successful:
“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.”
So it is important to be well-read by reading plenty of books (fiction and non-fiction) to improve your writing, speaking and thinking skills. Also, make sure to read aloud with expression when possible to get a better feel of how others will perceive what you are trying to say.
9. Be Prudent (For Success)
Franklin was known for being very frugal and prudent with his money. He generally did not spend a lot of money on food, housing, clothing, etc., because he thought it was a waste of valuable resources, especially since many people were in need.
“Buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessaries.”
So be frugal and save some of your money for the long run by not spending excessively. You do not want to be broke and in need, once you retire or are too old to work any longer.
So those were nine life lessons from Benjamin Franklin that can help you become successful according to his own words, but there is one more lesson I had initially forgotten to mention…
10. Be a Leader to Be Successful
Franklin did not want to be a follower throughout his life – he wanted to lead others and become one of the best leaders that Philadelphia had ever seen during this period. As a result, other colonies in America recruited Franklin because they believed he would be an asset to their communities and help them grow.
“The Character of a Happy Warrior desires more than everything to engage in some righteous Cause and sways his Mind freely and wisely to Body and Mind for this purpose.”
So be willing to take the initiative and lead others instead of just following along with everyone else’s ideas because you might gain more experience in the long run.