Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s most productive, prolific, multi-talented, industrious, and beloved founders, was also a master of time management and productivity. Here is a list of his “13 Virtues to Live By,” which were published in his Autobiography. Franklin even made small charts that he would carry around and mark his performance in each category at the end of every day. Talk about accountability!

Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues

1. Temperance:

Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.

2. Silence:

Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.

3. Order:

Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.

4. Resolution:

Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.

5. Frugality:

Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.

6. Industry:

Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. Sincerity:

Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. Justice:

Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. Moderation:

Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. Cleanliness:

Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.

11. Chastity:

Rarely use venery (sexual indulgence) but for health or offspring; Never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

12. Tranquility:

Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

13. Humility:

Imitate Jesus and Socrates

Here’s an image of the chart that Franklin would carry with him (note that it contains only ONE of the virtues–he suggested focusing on each one for a week at a time, not at the expense of the others, but to really fix his mind and heart on the importance of that virtue. According to Franklin, this practice helped him to master (at least become much better) at practicing each of the virtues by the end of the 13th week.

Your Action Item

1) Download your free PDF Action Guide below, print out the chart on Page 4, and keep it next to your bed.  Every night before you hit the pillow, make a note of how well you did in each area.

Right click the link below to download PDF

Benjamin Franklins 13 Virtues to Live By Dr Lawrence J Clark Winners Mindset Development System

2) You can also print out each individual page and carry it with you for one week. This will help your mind and heart focus on the importance of that virtue.

3) At the end of each week (or even every day if possible), write a journal entry in which you reflect upon what you’ve learned and what happened in your work life, relationships, inner thoughts, personal habits, etc. while focusing on that particular virtue.

4) Share what you are doing with a friend, co-worker, classmate, spouse, etc. and invite him or her to join you.

5) At the end of the 13 weeks, write another journal entry, titled “A Letter to Myself.” In that letter, give yourself praise for the areas in which you have improved, and be honest in your assessment of the areas that you still need to work on.

6) You might even repeat this 13-week plan 2, 3, or 4 times. Some of us (myself included) often need to hear things more than once before they sink in.  If you complete this exercise, even if only once, I GUARANTEE you will see an improvement in your productivity, ability to conquer bad habits and develop new, better ones, and your general overall character.  And I’ll bet others will notice the change in you as well!