Working with Wisdom

What I Learned from Benjamin Franklin

I've always enjoyed the earthy wisdom of Benjamin Franklin, founding father, statesman, inventor, business owner and the man who adorns our hundred dollar bill. After reading "Ben Franklin: America's Original Entrepreneur," I shared his list of 13 virtues in my Working with Wisdom enewsletter.

Here are some of the "aha's!" that I think deserve reflection. Some are common sense reminders and others seem counterintuitive. Which ones resonate with you?

• Be frugal.


• Speak well of others, even those who caused you misery.


• Check references.


• Don't hold a grudge.


• Appreciate all your talents.


• Be sincere.


• Hard Work + Patience = Wealth


• Keep reading. (He never graduated from school but instead learned by reading. In fact, he was responsible for establishing the first public library in Philadelphia.)


• Remember the power of the written word to influence others. (He used self-published pamphlets while we might blog.)


• Pay attention to appearances. (He made sure that people saw him working early and late at the print shop to show he was dedicated.)


• Don't take all the credit for accomplishments.


• Expect (and ask for) even more help from someone who has done you a favor.


• Spread the risk with contingency contracts, like matching funds.


• When it comes to power and politics, convenience often trumps intelligence. (So make it convenient for others to do what you desire.)


• Since hope of gain lessens pain, motivate through rewards and not punishment.


• Search hard for the third way when stuck in a dilemma with an opposing party.

Want to Learn to CRAVE Your Goals? Watch This Video!

 

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How to Have a Really Happy New Year!

In the book, The How of Happiness, author Sonja Lyubomirsky recommends 12 scientifically proven ways to boost our happiness. They are:

1. Express Gratitude


2. Cultivate Optimism


3. Avoid Overthinking and Social Comparison


4. Practice Acts of Kindness


5. Nurture Social Relationships


6. Develop Strategies for Coping


7. Learn to Forgive


8. Increase Flow Experiences


9. Savor Life's Joys


10. Commit to Your Goals


11. Practice Religion and Spirituality


12. Take Care of Your Body

I resonated with all of them. Do you?

Abraham Lincoln said that most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. To make your new year happier, I recommend you identify three of these strategies that you already do, appreciate the positive impact they have on your attitude and continue to do them. For me, that's express gratitude, cultivate optimism and nurture social relationships.

Then, consider three more strategies to start or recommit to for the new year. Mine are savor life's joys (stay in the moment), commit to your goals (I've got some bodacious ones for 2011!) and take care of your body (back to my yoga practice).

What do you already do and what will you begin to do in 2011? I hope you'll share your wise strategies by posting your comments here and inspire others. Have a Really Happy New Year!

What's So Good about "Good Business"?

"Good Business: Putting Spiritual Principles into Practice at Work" (Unity House, 2010) is an inspiring compilation of essays from 22 conscious business leaders. I share my "CRAVE Your Goals!" formula for success in Chapter 20.

Editors Charlotte Shelton and Martha Lynn set the tone in the book's introduction: "Ethical, accountable, responsible, collaborative, service-oriented, vision-focused and mission-based are words that describe good business. In short, good business is principled business--business that recognizes there are foundational principles in life that cannot be violated without great consequences."

As the economy begins to recover, those who lead large companies and run small businesses are recognizing that employees, customers and stakeholders expect much more. Conscious and compassionate organizations that appreciate and encourage sound business practices like meditation, gratitude, affirmations, visualization and taking care of the environment have a distinct competitive edge. The book highlights SAS Institute, Timberland Shoes, the Container Store, BioGenex, Tyson's Foods and Malden Mills--enlightened, successful companies that prove doing good is good business.

Here are some excerpts that resonated with me.

• From Daryl Conner: We each travel within a particular current that brings us into contact with the very people, situations and circumstances that enable us to learn the lessons waiting for us and use them as a catalyst for growth...We get into trouble when we decide our egos know more about what's best for us rather than allow ourselves to follow the natural flow of the Divine guidance we're offered.
• From Bil and Cher Holton: Enlightened business leaders know that all work tasks, procedures and organizational objectives have sacred components, whether they involve entering or collecting data, monitoring business processes, speaking to customers, driving company vehicles or emptying trash receptacles. Each task, every molecule of effort, is important in a soul-managed work environment. And the employees who perform these functions are valued and respected for being in alignment with the sacred dimensions of work.
• From Martha Lynn: The key is courage. Do we have the courage to set intentions that come from a place of love rather than lack or self-preservation? Do we have the courage to self-observe and take responsibility and be accountable for our thoughts, feelings and actions? Do we have the courage to shift from habits we have relied on for decades--our frame of reference for how the world works?
• From Brian Tracy: Since fear represents the greatest obstacle to creativity and high performance, when businesses drive out fear, they create an environment where creativity and high performance are free to flourish.
• From Charlotte Shelton: The skill of quantum feeling has enormous impact on issues such as motivation, stress, burnout and job satisfaction. Organizational life will change significantly when enough of us can release our dependence on external rewards and take full responsibility for bringing purpose, passion and vitality to our jobs by choosing appreciation rather than frustration, faith rather than fear, and accountability rather than victimization. I can't wait!

Neither can I. How about you?