Ok, I’ve previously discussed my feelings on resolutions, but also the need for a conscious effort towards personal growth and development. Today I present you with yet another approach - Ben Franklin’s virtues.

Benjamin Franklin developed a “Plan” for his personal development, comprising the following 13 virtues:

1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and 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 employed 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. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.
11. 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.
12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Ben Franklin’s approach was to focus on one of these virtues each week and repeat the cycle throughout the year. If you choose one of these virtues as your focus for the year you will likely come out a better person.

As for myself, over the years I have managed to incorporate many of these into my personal development, namely moderation, temperance, sincerity, and tranquility. Don’t know yet what my next personal project will be, but it may well be chosen from this list.

Happy New Year to everybody and all the best for 2007.