Daily Routines

In his Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin wrote about his daily routine and his attempt to follow it.

Detailed review of his routine is discussed in Daily Routine of Benjamin Franklin

Morning Routine = 3 hours

• Wake up at 5 am, plan his day, study and breakfast
• “Rise, Wash, and address Powerful Goodness” This is a time for self care and spiritual assessment.
• “Contrive Day’s Business and take the Resolution of the Day” This is the time when he planned his day and set daily goals. Setting goals is paramount in order to have a productive day. Without a goal or resolution of the day, you can spend the day completing many tasks, but may not be productive and will not get any closer to completing your goals.
• “Prosecute the present Study:” Benjamin spent time learning something new and unrelated to day to day work. Wether it was learning a new skill, studying a new language, or just exploring ideas.
• “and breakfast” Franklin did not specify what his typical breakfast was, other than he set time aside for breakfast.
• “The Morning Question, What Good shall I do this Day?” He asked himself this question every morning. His focus was on bettering the world around him, and this seemingly simple question may have been the catalyst that pushed him to create a library, open a fire department among many other ways that he served the public.

Work from 8 am to 5 pm with a two hour lunch where he read, reviewed his account and had lunch

Evening Routine = 4 hours

• Started at 6 pm and consisted of relaxing, music, diversion, supper, and putting things in their places.
• Daily reflection and bed time. Franklin wrote went to bed at around 10 pm.
• “Put Things in their Places” This was the time used to bring order to the surroundings. Tidy things up, put items away.
• “Supper” Have dinner. He did not elaborate on his meal plans so I will leave it as is.
• “Musick, or Diversion, or Conversation” Evening was the time to relax, unwind, spend it with friends, listen to music and just enjoy the time of relaxing.

Reminded us to be grateful for every day and face each day without fear

• Focusing on the lack of things in any situation leads to despair.
• Focusing on the abundance of blessings around us makes for a very happy existence.
• Fear of danger is worse than the danger itself.
• Often the danger itself may be the means to finding success in any pursuit.