Blog
16 lessons from the Moral Perfection Project(DW# 843)
Nov 18, 2020
Over the last few weeks, we have been exploring and learning from Benjamin Franklin’s Moral Perfection Project.
Here are the 15 lessons we discussed, with links to the relevant post.
As you read them, take a moment to reflect on:
1. Which is the biggest takeaway for you?
2. What are you already doing well?
3. Which one is the most challenging f...
Set lofty goals(DW# 840)
Nov 13, 2020
It is interesting that Ben Franklin set himself a goal that was, almost by definition, unachievable.
Given that we are human beings, it is (highly!) unrealistic to believe that we will ever achieve Moral Perfection.
And yet we must die trying.
Our goals must be ambitious, lofty and inspiring in order to propel us towards action.
Otherwise we will get too comfortable in our comfort zone which is not where progress or development happens!
Focus on the journey rather than the destination(DW# 839)
Nov 12, 2020
A concept which we discuss repeatedly in DW, is to focus on the process rather than the outcome, the journey rather than the destination.
And this is what Ben Franklin did as well.
By focusing on practicing the virtues repeatedly over the course of the years, he recognized that this was a life long journey or "jihad" – that he needed to focus on the journey of self-development rather than wait to arrive at the destination of "Moral Perfection".