Rules To Live By
Wise Words from the First American
One thing we might all be guilty of is getting so involved in the details of our day-to-day activities that we sometimes forget the big picture in life. We all have different goals, wishes and dreams, but can so get sidetracked with mundane tasks, routines and procrastination that we lose sight of what our higher calling is. I am writing this because I too, have been so caught up to my eyeballs working on a specific project in recent weeks that I needed a good reminder to take a brief step back and remind myself of what I want to accomplish.
As fate would have it, my partner, friend and TradeKing President & COO, Rich Hagen, sent around this article from The Business Insider over the weekend that inspired me to take a little time each day to keep things in perspective. I will list the rules, but urge you to click over to the article because the author has a pretty good take on each.
14 Lessons From Benjamin Franklin About Getting What You Want In Life
1. Less Talk, More Action
“Well done is better than well said.”
2. Don’t Procrastinate
“Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.”
3. Be Prepared
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
4. Don’t Fight Change
“When you're finished changing, you're finished.”
5. Get Moving
“All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move.”
6. Avoid Busywork
“Never confuse motion with action.”
7. Give Yourself Permission to Make Mistakes
“Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.”
8. Act Quickly on Opportunities
“To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.”
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.”
10. Keep Going
“Diligence is the mother of good luck.”
11. Know Yourself
“There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one's self.”
12. Don’t Self-Sabotage
“Who has deceived thee so often as thyself?”
13. Don’t Give Up
“Energy and persistence conquer all things.”
14. Wise Up
“Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.”
Rich advised us to print these out and keep them nearby to remind ourselves of our overall mission and to “execute like we have never executed before.” I know I have my copy hanging near my desk. Hope this helps get you refocused as well!
Be good,
Don Montanaro
TradeKing Bigdog, Chairman and CEO
www.tradeking.com
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[Image taken from Miss Shari via Flickr]
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Comments
Follow commentssnowman posted May 06, 2012 (02:57AM)
Spiritually he was 200 years ahead of his time. He created the 12 (13) steps copied by Bill and Bob and did not turn his life over to Jesus till much later in life. He felt there was a God just that it did not have the same values he had heard from preachers. He held meetings every week where colleagues would present a case for whatever topic they were interested in and the society had rules. What also interested me was his project arriving at moral perfection.
1, Temperance: Eat not to dullness, 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. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes, or habitation.
11. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. Chasity: Rarely use Venery but for health or offspring. Never to dullness or weakness, or the injury of yourself or your reputation.
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Ironically he is remembered for his Kite experiment yet he did far much greater things. He did have one vice prostitutes which he gave up and married and older woman than himself. He wrote a diary or Auto-biography to his son so that he may learn from his mistakes.
http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781101221761,00.html?The_Autobiography_and_Other_Writings_Benjamin_Franklin
By far the greatest American and founder of our country.
incubus posted May 07, 2012 (03:11PM)
bigdog posted May 09, 2012 (08:21AM)
I have always been a Ben Franklin fan.
As a kid growing up in South Jersey, many a grammar school day trip involved visiting Ben Franklin's house, Betsy Ross' house, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell - all within walking distance of each other, by the way.
In fact, here's my summer vacation advisory - if anyone is doing a family trip this summer to either New York or Washington, D.C., you would really be remiss if you don't take a couple hour drive and add at least a half-day in Philly.
Birthplace of Freedom, cradle of Democracy - shouldn't be missed!
Best,
Don
spshapiro posted May 13, 2012 (08:39AM)
bigdog posted May 14, 2012 (09:30AM)
That is perhaps the second best epitaph I have seen.
I once spied this one on a gravestone in Key West:
"I told you I was sick!"
Don
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