He was the fifteenth of seventeen children and his father didn’t have enough money to send him to school, but that didn’t stop Benjamin Franklin from becoming one of the most prominent figures in early American history.
As one of the Founding Fathers of the U.S., Franklin was also an entrepreneur, inventor and writer whose legacy would leave a lasting impact the world over.
With his commitment to personal achievement and to improving the lives of his fellow Americans, Franklin proved to be one of the most successful statesmen, writers, entrepreneurs and intellectuals of his time.
Given that his father was a soap maker who couldn’t afford education for his 17 children, Franklin’s success is all the more astonishing. How did Franklin take control of his situation and turn his destiny around?
“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.
Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry, all things easy. He that rises late must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night, while laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him.
Energy and persistence conquer all things. Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What’s a sun-dial in the shade?
Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none. Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing. Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.He that blows the coals in quarrels that he has nothing to do with, has no right to complain if the sparks fly in his face.
He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else. Never confuse motion with action.
If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting. A penny saved is a penny earned.If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect.
If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. Genius without education is like silver in the mine. Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.
Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. The man who achieves makes many mistakes, but he never makes the biggest mistake of all - doing nothing.
Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to get leisure. Drive thy business or it will drive thee.“
Bejamin Franklin was such a great example for work ethic. I think that everything is a matter of priorities, as well. Sometimes we think that we “need” to do something that is less important and put off the necessities until tomorrow. We have our priorities backwards, and this can result in less than success.
Evan–It is interesting that a site dedicated to young entrepreneurs would be interested in what old Ben Franklin had to say. However, the truth is, that if every start up business adhered to the wise words of Franklin, there would be far fewer business failure.
Great work–keep it up.
I am so glad I read this post today! It reminded me how much Benjamin Franklin has always impressed me with his wit, wisdom, creativity and adventurous spirit. I just added his bio to my books-to-order list.
One quote that especially resonated with me was this one: “If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect.” Words to live by, especially if your business is marketing and promotion!
Thanks,
Kim Washetas
http://scoutforsuccess.com
Hey Evan
Enjoyed reading this one. A long one but hey, I was at the bank and they were taking an age to work out what they’d done wrong with a payment, so had more than enough time to read it on my phone while I waited.
Was kind of ironic reading about entreprise and commitment and enthusiasm as one of the UK’s largest banks faffed about for an age on the most simple task. Felt like giving them the hurry up: “Get a move on boys, don’t you know business needs some energy right now?!” but figured I’d just read your post instead. Cheers.
I know I’m late reading this but great post, any way in regard to ar e you driving the business or is the business driving you, it can be a little bit more complex than this. I see it as you drive the customer and the customer drives the business