Daily Schedule – Ben Franklin
In looking at the calendar today, I realized that I am nearing the 1,000 day mark for stepping into a more flexible lifestyle to support my goals in life. I calculated just how much time has passed since I started this journey. From and including: Wednesday, January 5, 2011 to and including: Saturday, September 14, 2013, 984 days have passed. I am reflecting on what I’ve accomplished in 2 years, 8 months, 10 days and what I need to illuminate, elaborate or eliminate in order to speed my journey and take my performance to a higher level.
I know that achieving a new level of success generally doesn’t happen on its own. The “doing” in doing whatever it takes to succeed includes creating some new daily practices, even better planning and consistency of effort.
As is true of any endeavor I undertake, I research the habits of notable success figures to determine the ways in which I need to change my habits to achieve more. As I’ve thought about this discipline thing, a Kahlil Gibran quote from The Prophet keeps popping into my head: “Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself”. The message in this quote for me is to create practice, habit and discipline, but not get so entrenched in the discipline that I drive others away or miss the joy of the journey.
Today’s blog photo is useful. It is one that I found on a blog post titled, “The Daily Routines of Famous Writers” (Blog title is Brain Pickings). It is a picture of Ben Franklin’s daily routine. Since I was very young, I have been amazed by at Ben Franklin’s diversity, brilliance and zest for life. The following is a list of Franklin’s accomplishments and areas of contribution (compiled by Ralph Archbald, famous for portraying Ben Franklin):
SCIENCE – Noted 18th Century Scientist
INVENTOR – Stove, lightning rod, bifocals and many others…
MEDICINE – Founded 1st U.S. Hospital
BANKING – Well known for maxims on thrift
AGRICULTURE – Introduced several crops to U.S.
PRINTING – Noted Colonial printer – “Patron Saint of Printing”
ELECTRICAL – Experiments and theories – Kite & Key
INSURANCE – Started 1st insurance company
HEATING – Franklin stove
COOLING – Had three methods of cooling
OPTOMETRIC – Bifocal glasses
POSTAL – First postmaster
LIBRARIES – Started 1st circulating library
PUBLIC SAFETY – Started 1st police department and fire department
MUSIC – Invented musical instrument – glass armonica
GOVERNMENT – Held numerous positions: Clerk, Postmaster, J.P., Alderman, Governor, Ambassador
MILITARY – Colonel in Militia
DIPLOMAT – Ambassador to England Minister to France
COMMUNITY SERVICE – Street lighting, paving and cleaning
UNIONS – Started Leather Apron Club
BUSINESSMAN – Owned and operated several businesses
PHILOSOPHER – Started American Philosophical Society
ABOLITIONIST – Started Society to Abolish Slavery
MERCHANT – Operated store as part of printshop
HUMORIST – Considered America’s 1st writer of humor
FORECASTER – Published Poor Richards “Almanack”
FUND RAISER – Originated matching contributions idea
SAILING – Designed “sea anchors”
CARTOONIST – Drew 1st cartoon in an American newspaper
LINGUIST – Studied several languages and designed a phonetic alphabet
CARTOGRAPHER – Mapped the Gulf Stream and Routes for the post office
MENTOR – Acted as a counselor and guide to many of his contemporaries
In Franklin’s time, days were counted in 24 hours, just as they are today. Excellent use of time and building in time for enjoyment were a priority for him.
My lesson for today is that time-blocking is not something that was introduced in the twentieth century. Using Franklin’s example I am examining the ways I schedule my time, and making note of gaps between planning and actual use of my time.
This will be particularly useful, because I am in the midst of a new publishing project focused on Taking Performance To A Higher Level. I’m looking at elements of high performance from a variety of perspectives. Along the way, I am sharing some of my own practices for health, wealth and wellness. I welcome your contribution to this study. If you have practices you follow from which you think others can benefit, feel free to comment or contact me!
In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting ideas about achieving new levels of success and speeding your way to your Vision. As always, I welcome your comments.
Make it a great week!
~ Tess
Copyright 2013
Destiny Rising, LLC
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