Introduction to the 13-week Virtue Building Program

Napoleon Hill wrote in the book Think and Grow Rich:

Here is an astonishing thing to me: I seldom meet anyone who never heard of Franklin’s thirteen-week plan, but I have never met anyone who has told me he tried it! Yet, near the close of his long and amazing life, Benjamin Franklin wrote: 'I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example, and reap the benefit.'

There is a magic benefit to practicing this 13-week program. And it is truly simple!

I don’t know of anything better that I could recommend that will do so much to assure your success and personal development as to make it absolutely compulsory for you to follow this plan. 

Remember, Franklin was a scientist. This plan is scientific.

Reject it, and you reject one of the most practical ideas ever offered you. I know what it did for me. I know it can do the same for anyone who will try it.

It’s not an easy way. There is no easy way. But it is a sure way. FRANKLIN’s THIRTEEN SUBJECTS (just as he wrote them down, and the order in which he used them

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 uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

11. Tranquility— Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12. Chastity— Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

13. Humility Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

I have switched them up a bit. The virtues I have listed are more in alignment with my life coaching and Stop the Mind Screw Process. And over the next 13 posts, I will give you a new virtue and download to follow for the week.

Each week you are invited to:

1. Read the blog post

2. Contemplate the virtue and quotes listed.

3. Download the guide to help you

4. Journal each week on how you handle each virtue.

I encourage you to continue this program throughout your year. If you do you will find the start of the virtues again every 4 months.

Ben Franklin noticed this change in his life each time he hit the virtue anew.

You are more than welcome to follow the virtues listed above as well if you like.

Let’s get on to week number one or ENTHUSIASM coming January 5, 2023.

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