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Hello dear blog readers! If you want to be successful and want to learn how to manage your time so that it works for you and not the other way around. Then you simply must know what Benjamin Franklin’s pyramid is.
It is a comprehensive system for setting and achieving goals. And you can calculate them for the rest of your life ahead.
It is actively used by managers, executives, businessmen and even business coaches. And today I propose to find out how it works and how it can be useful directly to you.
Benjamin Franklin
To begin with, I want to remind you who Benjamin is. Still, his portrait is decorated with a hundred dollar bill, and not even every US president was awarded such an honor.
Despite the fact that Franklin was not one, he is considered one of the founders of the United States of America. And also one of the authors of the Constitution.
He was involved in politics, business, inventive activities and even journalism. A truly unique and special person who succeeded in everything he undertook.
By the way, the well-known phrase that “Time is money” also belongs to him.
One would think that he comes from a wealthy family, thanks to which he became so successful and famous. But no, Benjamin was the fifteenth child in a row, and there were seventeen children in all. I think you yourself understand the need they lived in.
After receiving only a few classes of education, he went to work at the age of ten to help provide a little food for his family. And at about 20 years old, he created a pyramid, thanks to which he was able not only to fulfill himself, but also to change the course of US history.
Structure
Franklin was of the opinion that a person can find inner harmony and peace only when he feels power over what is happening in his life. Or at least realizes what he wants and what he strives for.
Western scientists have conducted a number of studies and found that only 1% of people are able to clearly talk about their formed goals. Most get by with vague answers, for example, that they want more money and so on.
And in order not to be among those who do not know what exactly they crave and how they can realize what they want, I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the structure of the pyramid, which Franklin invented and successfully applied in his life.
Block 1. Life values
This is the basis, so to speak, the foundation on which everything else will be built, as well as hold on. They determine our path, destiny, because a person will make his decisions based precisely on his ideas, preferences and understanding of what is right for him.
Thanks to values, we can form the meaning of our lives, understand which direction to move on and how to satisfy needs.
To define them for yourself and prioritize is almost the most important thing that a person must do if he wants to achieve success and live happily. Since, if she knows exactly what she wants to get, why she needs it, and also what resources she needs to spend, then she won’t have to look for ways to increase motivation and where to get the strength to implement her plans.
In general, if you want to learn more about what types of values are considered and how to define them for yourself, follow this link.
In the meantime, you can just ask questions, such as: “What is the most important thing for me?”, “What do I want to achieve in this life?”, “Why am I living?” …
Example of values
And here I will point out the principles that Benjamin himself adhered to, perhaps, as an example, they will help you understand what you should start from in order to organize your life.
- Measure. It is necessary to observe the measure in everything, for example, not to fill up to satiety, not to get drunk to the point where you are completely drunk and do not understand anything.
- Silence. No need to waste time on idle chatter. Speak only when the words are useful, both for the interlocutor and for yourself personally.
- Order. Each thing should have its place, then you don’t have to spend resources searching. Then it will always be clear what is where. It is also important to keep your clothes and body clean.
- Determination. If you decide to do something, then in no case should you give yourself concessions. Thought — be sure to do it.
- Saving. Spend money only on things that will benefit you. Waste will not lead to anything good.
- Diligence. Don’t let laziness take over. The one who works hard achieves a lot.
- Sincerity. Don’t lie, even for your own good. It is important to be objective and fair.
- Calm. A sense of inner balance cannot be achieved if you are constantly exposed to excitement and anxiety. Try to remain calm in all situations. Panic will not solve the problem in any way.
- Chastity. This refers to the purity of thoughts and control of instincts.
Block 2. Global goal
This is the most cherished dream of a person, so to speak, the goal of his whole life. Therefore, try to determine what you want to get, acquire or become. Let’s say a dancer will strive for fame by creating a special and unique style of dance. Thanks to which it will become famous all over the world.
Block 3. General plan
In simple words, this is a step-by-step algorithm of actions that will help to realize the global goal. If we take the above example with a dancer, then her plan will definitely include obtaining the necessary choreographic education, skills, experience, and so on.
Block 4. Long-term plan
The course of action is prescribed for the year ahead, or for 3 or 5 years, which will help achieve the global goal. You should also indicate the deadlines in order to independently organize the boundaries, beyond which it is strictly forbidden. Otherwise, all efforts will be in vain.
Block 5. Short-term
This is the plan for the next few months, or even weeks. It is important to think it over well, that is, constantly return to some points and make changes to them if necessary. Also give in to the analysis of the results obtained and anticipate the likely difficulties on the way to achieving the desired.
Block 6. For a day, maximum a week
The last stage, so to speak, is the top of the pyramid. Tasks for the day are prescribed, if any of them is too voluminous, then it is divided into several subtasks and distributed over several days.
To make it easier to determine where to start, you can use this classification of cases:
- Paramount. They have the highest priority, so you should start with them, gradually moving on to the rest.
- Minor. It is also important to fulfill them immediately, but in case of force majeure situations, they can be postponed until tomorrow.
- Insignificant. These are the tasks that need to be implemented as far as possible. Suppose you have a free minute — you can do them. If not, then nothing bad will happen.
How to use?
After examining each item, perhaps someone found this pyramid of achievements too complicated and confusing. Do not be afraid, starting to use it, you will eventually get used to it and begin to better understand the intricacies of this system.
For example, having found out exactly what you want to achieve, every morning or evening, whichever is more convenient, sit down to fill out a diary. That is, prescribe even the smallest tasks for the day.
It is important to maintain discipline and pay attention to each item, periodically reviewing them. Since some dreams may lose their relevance. And it would be useful to re-plan your activities in order to fulfill the needs, and not vice versa, to create frustration for them.
This Franklin system is so popular in the West that diaries are commercially available with lined pages directly for each step. Although, it is quite possible to draw a notebook yourself. To make it easier to navigate exactly how to do this, you can read the article on how to set goals correctly. It is located at this link.
Completion
And that’s all for today, dear readers! You can apply Benjamin’s pyramid not only in business, but also in everyday life. It will lead you to success and help save not only time, but also resources.
For more time management tricks, click here.
Take care of yourself and be happy!
The material was prepared by a psychologist, Gestalt therapist, Zhuravina Alina