The pursuit of “having it all”, or to be more precise “being it all” is not a new phenomenon. Back in 1726 at the young age of 20, one of our most colorful founding fathers laid out a plan to attain just such a lofty goal.  Benjamin Franklin decided that he would pursue moral perfection.

He defined the Thirteen Virtues based on Philippians 4:8.

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 employ’d 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, cloaths, 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”

His plan was to work on each virtue for one week in turn, focusing on it intently throughout the week, and hope that the other 12 would handle themselves. Even if we don’t agree with his methodology1 it would take a bit over a year I think we can take a great deal of inspiration from this approach.[1] There was a definition of the goal, and then a methodical plan laid out to achieve that goal.

I plan to do that here regularly, perhaps on a weekly basis (I will try not to come up with a cheesy alliterative name for it, like “Franklin Fridays”). We will create a Vision Statement / Mission Statement, craft our list of “virtues” that define our goal, and then create a methodical plan to achieve each one in turn.

[1] Although it would take a little over a year, I would think you might want to dedicate 3 – 4 weeks per habit, and continue to keep a log of all the habits you have “mastered” as you progress. Just my personal Approach