Benjamin Franklin

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the ideas, principles and values embodied in Benjamin Franklin's life and works. Franklin's writings, such as
the "Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" and "Poor Richard's Almanac" contain time-tested success formulas that helped Franklin shape his success and also inspired an entire genre of books. The author explores how many of the ideas presented in Franklin's writings influenced today's self-help books. The paper cites Steve Covey and Blaine McCormick as two self-help writers influenced by Franklin.

From the Paper:

"Benjamin Franklin is rightly called the first success guru of America. His ideas, principles and values embodied in his life and works are evident of the fact that this man possessed a great entrepreneurial spirit and never-say-die attitude which turned him and millions of others who followed his advice into millionaires. However do not equate success with money alone. Franklin was not only a wealthy person; he was also a completely successful statesman, a shrewd politician and a disciplined person as well. The self-help books that teach us about time management and success today have largely been inspired by Franklin's ideals. As Anker (1999) observes: "

Sample of Sources Used:

• McCormick Blaine. Speaking FRANKLIN - management theories of Benjamin Franklin- Entrepreneur May, 2000
• Roy M. Anker. Self-Help and Popular Religion in Early American Culture: An Interpretive Guide. Greenwood Press. Westport, CT. 1999.
• Steven Covey, Seven Habits of Highly effective people, New York: Fireside, 1989.
• Franklin, Benjamin. Benjamin Franklin: Writings. New York: Library of America, 1987.

More papers on Benjamin Franklin:

• Essay # 86937 : "Benjamin Franklin"
• Essay # 30284 : "Benjamin Franklin and the "Ideal" American"
• Book Review # 74701 : "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin"

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