One of the wisest and most practical men ever walked on earth, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) has formulated a success formula. He used it and succeeded.

He listed out the following thirteen virtues and annexed to each a short precept, which fully expressed the extend he gave to its meaning: 1) Temperance: Eat not to dullness; 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; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. 10) Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation. 11) Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. 12) Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or off-spring, never to dullness, weakness or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation. 13) Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

In his Autobiography, he states: "I made a little book, in which I allotted a page for each of the virtues. I ruled each page with red ink, so as to have seven columns, one for each day of the week, marking each column with a letter for the day. I crossed these columns with thirteen red lines, marking the beginning of each line with the first letter of one of the virtues, on which line, and in its proper column. I might mark, by a little black spot, every fault I found upon examination to have been committed respecting that virtue upon that day.”

In this way he was able to go through his entire list in thirteen weeks, and repeat the process for four times in a year. Needless to say that he has achieved his goal.

Frank Bettger one of the greatest salesmen of America read the book and formulated his own success plan. He wanted to apply this technique for selling. Hence he substituted seven new skills which he thought would be more helpful to him to develop his business replacing Franklin's seven virtues.

Frank Bettger's list: 1)Enthusiasm 2)Order: self-organization 3)Think in terms of others'interests 4)Questions 5)Key issue 6)Silence: listen 7)Sincerity: deserve confidence 8)Knowledge of my business 9)Appreciation and praise 10)Smile: happiness 11)Remember names and faces 12)Service and prospecting 13)Closing the sale: action

Mr.Bettger made up 5” x 3” card, a pocket reminder for each one of his subjects and carried it with him for a week The technique worked for him.

One may prepare his/her own list to suit his/her own needs. We may analyze ourselves, list out our weaknesses in order to eliminate them using the formula 13. Replace purposeless life with definite goals, laziness with enthusiasm, procrastination with immediate action, routine work with creativity and so on.

A list of 50 virtues/skills is given below for your ready reference.

1) Goals 2) Confidence 3) Public speaking 4) Exercises for health 5) Frugality 6) Praise others finding good qualities 7) Think 8) Enthusiasm 9) Have more friends 10) Service to others 11) Stop criticizing 12) Get tough emotionally 13) Positive thinking 14) Time management 15) Acquiring knowledge 16) Learn: to organize 17) Making the handicap as asset 18) Smile 19) Increasing energy 20) Relaxation 21) Finding new hobbies 22) Imagination 23) Auto suggestion 24) Live today 25) Creativity 26) Motivation 27) Faith 28) Forget and forgive 29) Working in rhythmic harmony 30) Planning 31) Be humble 32) Reading 33) Listen 34) Keeping journals 35) Physical discipline 36) Cleanliness 37) Temperance 38) Silence 39) Problem solving techniques 40) Using both sides of the brain 41) Mind development 42) Yoga 43) Job skills 44) Doing one thing at a time 45) Gathering ideas (brainstorming) 46) Finding new methods 47) Make personal slogans for improvement 48) Body language 49) Mind mapping 50) Give

The list is never ending one.

Make your own formula 13. One who follows formula 13 will definitely succeed!