What Good Today

A day from the Autobiography: it opens with “What good shall I do this day?” and closes with “What good have I done to-day?”. In between: study, planned blocks of work, a look at the accounts at noon, things put in their places, and one of the 13 virtues to watch each week.

Inspired by Benjamin Franklin's publicly reported daily routine

Mind
9 habits
2 milestones

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The habits

Ask: What good shall I do this day?

Daily · at 06:30

Then plan the day’s business and take one resolution for it.
Morning study, 30 min

Daily · at 07:00
Planned work block, 2 hours

Weekdays · at 08:00
At noon: read, or look over your accounts

Weekdays · at 12:00
Put things in their places

Daily · at 18:00
Ask: What good have I done today?

Daily · at 21:00

Look back over the day and mark any slips against this week’s virtue.
Pick this week’s virtue

Mon

One a week, in order: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, Humility.
Sleep by 10

Daily · at 22:00
Rise at 5

Daily · at 05:00 · Advanced

His scheme began at 5 a.m. with “Rise, wash, and address Powerful Goodness” and ended with sleep at 10 p.m. Only rise this early if you can be in bed by 10.

Sources

Not affiliated with or endorsed by Benjamin Franklin. Based on publicly reported routines. General wellness information, not medical advice. Check with a doctor before big changes to your training, sleep or eating.

Optional goal

Milestone 1

Set up your little book (Day 1)
A virtue chart ready
- Write the 13 virtues on one page with a column for each day
- Choose the times for your morning and evening questions
- Block your work hours for the week
- Start with Temperance
Milestone 2

One virtue a week (Weeks 1–13)
13 weeks of daily review
- Mark each day’s slips against the week’s virtue
- Move to the next virtue every Monday
- Compare the marks from your first and last weeks
- Pick the virtues to repeat in your next round

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What Good Today

The habits

Sources

Optional goal

Set up your little book (Day 1)

One virtue a week (Weeks 1–13)

Build the habit. Reach the goal.