Forget New Year’s Resolutions, Adopt Ben Franklin’s 13 Virtues Instead!
Happy New Year! I have something much better than New Year’s resolutions! Read on!
An off schedule post
This is an off-schedule post. That means something different or interesting is going on that warrants paying attention to. So, my friends, read on to find out more!
Introduction
I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a great New Year celebration. I also hope you are ready to get back to work. It’s 2026, baby! Time to hit it hard!
And then, I hope you did not make any New Year’s resolutions. “Dave, why would you say that?” you ask. Well, the answer is pretty simple and that’s because they are a waste of time and they do not work! “Dave, how can you say that?” you ask. Well, it’s quite simple, and I’ve discussed it before, but in the off chance you have not heard it, let me repeat the statistics:
80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February.
That’s right, 80% (Note 1). If you clicked on that link, continue to read the article; it’s pretty good.
Now, as you know, at Afterburner Success Partners, we advocate developing written lifetime goal and accomplishment plans because written goals are more likely to be completed. Again, we know the data for this as well. Yeah, click the link in Note 2 and read this interesting article, chock-full of great statistics. I’ll bet you will be writing your goals down by this weekend!
So, do we agree, no New Year’s resolutions for 2026? OK, then, let’s look at something better.
Franklin’s Way
Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States and a self-made man. He was a publisher/printer, statesman, inventor, author, and humanitarian. He was one of 17 children and, as was tradition, trained as a chandler (candlemaker), as his father had. He had little interest in making candles, however, so his parents sent him to learn the printing trade, alongside one of his brothers. It was there he learned frugality, eating meager meals and spending very little money. Because he recognized the importance of education and reading, he used his savings to buy books. But due to differences and difficulties with his brother, he soon moved to other parts of New England, eventually making his way to England to work. Returning from England at the age of 20, he developed his grand plan: “I wish’d to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into” (Note 4). And thus were born his 13 virtues. The 13 virtues were fundamental principles that governed his life.
These are the names of virtues, with their precepts:
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, clothes, or habitation.
11. TRANQUILLITY. 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.
Who can argue that living one’s life with these values would not be a good thing? It may be hard in the modern world, but that does not make them any less valuable.
Franklin kept a small notebook, and at the end of each day, he would review each virtue and make a small mark in a chart he had created, one for each virtue. But he did not review all of them at the same time, thinking he would be overwhelmed. Instead, he focused on one virtue a week. Doing so allowed him to complete a review of all 13 virtues four times a year.
By following this process, Franklin could improve his own potential for success in each area. While these virtues may sound old and outdated, they are applicable to us today if we are just a bit creative. Take Silence, for example. This could be as simple as refraining from using our cell phone when in a checkout line, a drive-thru window, or when engaging with other people.
Summary
I might suggest getting this little book, Franklin’s Way, 13 Virtues For A Better Life, by Serge Gautron by clicking on the link in Note 4. It’s a very short read and for about $13, it’s a bargain when you think of the value you get from it. I learned a ton from it, more than I ever thought I would!
So, for 2026, forget the New Year’s resolutions and focus on Franklin’s 13 virtues instead!
That’s all for this week!
Forget New Year’s Resolutions! Adopt Ben Franklin’s 13 Virtues Instead!
Afterburner Success Partners
What’s in it for Me
For the new year, what activities can we focus on that will give us the best return for our time and money? Franklin’s way is one. If you have not established written goals for your lifetime plan and are acting on them, I might suggest taking the Afterburner Success Partner course to help you get them set up. Or maybe read the book. Or both!
Call to Action
Purchase the book by clicking on the link in Note 4 as mentioned above. Take the Afterburner Success Partners course or purchase the book Achieve Your Dreams: A Complete Guide to Live Your Best Life by David Giustozzi (Note 5). Consider your opportunity to bless others as you have been blessed with the knowledge you gain from it.
Recommended Resources
Buy and read the book Achieve Your Dreams: A Complete Guide to Live Your Best Life by David Giustozzi (Note 5). Buy and read the book Franklin’s Way, 13 Virtues For A Better Life, by Serge Gautron (Note 4).
Up Next
Back to regular posting schedule.
Notes
Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission on the sale of any of these recommended resources.
New Year’s Resolutions Fail. Do This Instead: Forbes Magazine: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisabodell/2022/12/19/new-years-resolutions-fail-do-this-instead/
The Psychology of Writing Down Goals, New Tech Northwest: https://www.newtechnorthwest.com/the-psychology-of-writing-down-goals/
Benjamen Franklin’s 13 Virtures, Tips for Getting More From Ben, Decisionskills.com: https://www.decisionskills.com/thirteen-virtues.html
Franklin’s Way, 13 Virtues For A Better Life, by Serge Gautron: https://amzn.to/4rpzdhr
Achieve Your Dreams: A Complete Guide to Live Your Best Life by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/3IxEFgy