Benjamin Franklin did something quite remarkable early in his adult life that made him the great man that he was in history. I read recently that Franklin noticed that he had difficulty getting along with people; he argued too much, and he had trouble making and keeping friends. At age 20, keenly aware of what he believed were his own character defects that hindered him, he determined to do something about it.
He made a choice: He chose to examine his own personality, list what he considered undesirable personality traits, and do something about them. He then selected 13 virtues he wanted to enhance in his life that he believed would help him become a better person. The virtues he aspired to enhance were:
1. To be temperate, especially in the consumption of food and alcohol.
2. To practice silence and to speak only words that benefit others.
3. To live an orderly life.
4. To resolutely do what ought to be done.
5. To practice frugality.
6. To work diligently and manage time well.
7. To be sincere and honest.
8. To do what is right and just.
9. To be moderate in all things.
10. To practice cleanliness.
11. To remain tranquil and calm, particularly in situations that cannot be avoided.
12. To practice sexual constraint.
13. To learn humility by imitating the figures of Jesus and Socrates.
Though these sound very much like SJ strengths, other temperaments can certainly possess them too. However, the SJ is often identified by such strengths.
It was not because Benjamin Franklin was an SJ that made him great though. It was his choices that made him great! He chose to develop the strengths that he was given at birth and to use them to become a better person and to help his country and his fellow man.
Suppose he had not made the choice to develop this list of strengths. He would not have become the admired and respected diplomat that he became. People would not have looked up to him or chosen him to represent them. France would not have responded to him positively and probably would not have helped the young nation that was emerging. What effect did his choice for his own life have on the history of America?
Your choices about your life may not affect the world to the extent that Franklin’s did (although they might), but they will certainly affect YOUR life.
Wishing won’t make it so, but your choice can. How is your life going right now? Is there anything that needs changing? I know there are areas in my life that need work. Recognizing our needs is the first step, just as it was for Ben Franklin. The next step is the one that will make the difference. One good decision could change everything.
The choice is yours.
Discover your strengths. A great aid to that discovery and to developing your strengths is INNERKINETICS — Your Blueprint to Excellence and Happiness.
