1. 20Timeless LessonsBenjamin Franklin

2. Benjamin Franklin was a man of action. Over his lifetime, his curiosity and passion fueled a diverse range of interests. He was a writer, publisher, diplomat, inventor and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Self-development was a constant endeavor throughout his incredible life. Here are his 20 Must-Read Timeless Lessons: 3. Lesson # 1 : Less Talk, More Action We all know people who constantly talk about the things they are going to do but rarely ever take that first step. Eventually people begin to question their credibility. Taking action and seeing the task through to completion is the only way to get the job done.Well done is better than well said. 4. Lesson # 2 : Dont Procrastinate Benjamin Franklin was not a man hung up on procrastination. He was a man with clear measurable goals who worked hard to turn his vision into reality. What are you putting off till tomorrow that could make a difference in your life today?Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today. 5. Lesson # 3 : Be Prepared You need a plan to accomplish your goals. Charging in without giving any thought to the end result and how to achieve it, is a sure way to fall flat on your face. Think like a boy scout. Have a realistic plan of attack and a systematic approach for getting where you need to be.By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. 6. Lesson # 4 : Dont Fight Change Change is inevitable. The stronger we fight against it, the more time and energy it consumes. Give up the fight. Focus on proactively making positive changes, instead of having change merely thrust upon you. Wherever possible, try to view change as a positive instead of a negative.When you're finished changing, you're finished. 7. Lesson # 5 : Get Moving Theres a reason we use the expression, movers and shakers. Movers are the ones who take action, the people who get things done, while the immovable are sitting around scratching their heads wondering how others could possibly be so successful. Which group do you want to belong to?All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move. 8. Lesson # 6 : Avoid Busywork We are always running around doing things. We rush from one meeting or event to the next, sometimes without achieving a great deal. At the end of the day, how much of our busywork are we proud of? Make your motion mean something. Focus now.Never confuse motion with action. 9. Lesson # 7 : Give Yourself Permission to Make Mistakes If we fear making mistakes, we become scared to try new things. Fear leaves us nestled in our comfort zone. Staying in your comfort zone rarely leads to greatness. Taking risks and giving yourself permission to make mistakes, will lead you to whatever your version of success may be.Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. 10. Lesson # 8 : Act Quickly on Opportunities Opportunities are everywhere. The trick is being quick enough and smart enough to seize them when they arise. Instead of jumping to the conclusion that something wont work or cant be done, allow yourself the freedom to ask what if?To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions. 11. Lesson # 9 : Continue to Grow We all have vices of some description. The key is to keep them under control or preferably eradicate them entirely. Be kind to those around you, whether they are neighbors, family, co-workers or friends. Never accept that you have finished growing as a person.Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man. 12. Lesson # 10 : Keep Going Have you ever looked at a successful entrepreneur and thought how lucky they are? Most of the time, luck has nothing to do with it. Hard work and sacrifice on the other hand have everything to do with it. Successful people deal with failure. They tackle their demons head on. They pick themselves up and keep going.Diligence is the mother of good luck. 13. Lesson # 11 : Know Yourself Sometimes we just dont want to see ourselves for who we really are. Its much easier to hold onto a romanticized version of ourselves or to simply view ourselves through other peoples eyes. Start by being brutally honest with yourself. Follow through with understanding, compassion and acceptance.There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one's self. 14. Lesson # 12 : Dont Self-Sabotage If you are using negative self-talk, lying to yourself or indulging in addictive behavior you are self-sabotaging. Life can dish up enough challenges without us adding to the mix. Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself like you would a best friend.Who had deceived thee so often as thyself? 15. Lesson # 13 : Dont Give Up There will be days when you want to give up. There will be times when your energy levels flat line and you wonder why you bother getting out of bed. Yet you push forward, day after day because you believe in yourself and you have the determination and strength to back up that belief.Energy and persistence conquer all things. 16. Lesson # 14 : Wise Up Benjamin was definitely onto something with this one. Who hasnt had the thought - I wish I could know then, what I know now? Unfortunately there is no time machine; there is no going back. The key is to wise up as early as you can to start forging a life of purpose, achievement and happiness.Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late. 17. Lesson 15 : Time is Money Your time is your life. If you waste your time, you are wasting your life. Ive never met a successful person who didnt value their time. Dont let other people waste your time either, why is it when someone wants to kill an hour, they want to kill your hour as well? Protect your time, it can never be replaced, it can never be replenished, your time is your life."Do not squander time for that is the stuff life is made of." 18. Lesson 16 : Make an Impression Benjamin Franklin said, Many people die at twenty five and aren't buried until they are seventy five. I hope youre not dead, I hope you havent achieved all that youre going to achieve; I hope your best days are in front of you. I think they are.If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do things worth writing. 19. Lesson 17 : Accept Full Responsibility For Your Life What you do with your life is your choice. Ben Franklins path was tougher than most, but he didnt let excuses slow him down. Never accept any excuse for your problems, even if your excuse is a good one. Excuses make you look and feel weak and reveal a lack of control over your life.Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is. 20. Lesson 18 : Expect The Best High expectations enable you to reach your potential. Benjamin lived as if things would work out for him as long as he kept moving forward. Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight., said Benjamin.While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us. 21. Lesson 19 : To Persuade People, Take Egos Out Of The Equation Take care not to threaten anothers ego, and they will consider your words. Being a skilled debater, Ben Franklin could usually get people to agree with him using intellectual force, but he found that people were easier to persuade if he claimed appearance over fact.The modest way in which I proposd my opinions procurd them a readier reception and less contradiction; I had less mortification when I was found to be in the wrong, and I more easily prevaild with others to give up their mistakes and join with me when I happened to be in the right. 22. Lesson 20 : Laugh Laugh early, laugh often, and laugh loudly unless theyre sleeping upstairs. Having a sense of humor has several life benefits. It lowers stress levels, makes you more likable, breaks down social barriers. And if you have the perfect life on paper, but dont have fun doing it, whats the point?We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid. 23. It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it. - Benjamin FranklinThank You Very Much Sompong Yusoontorn Bright9977@gmail.com