Virtues for the iPhone, which is designed to help users, step by step, follow in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin’s time-honored self-improvement system, updated for a digital age.
The Virtues app is based upon Benjamin Franklin's own system of tracking how well he displayed virtues in his character daily for a period of one week. He focused exclusively on tracking one virtue per week.
With 13 virtues – temperance, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, silence, order, resolution and humility -- he surmised he could cycle through the process four times over the course of one year.
He wrote about this daily practice in his autobiography at the age of 79, and attributed much of his success to it, saying, “I was, by the endeavor, a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it.” He also wrote, “I hope, therefore, that my descendants will follow this example and reap the benefits.”
Character Equals Success
With the Virtues app, you have the option to select from Franklin’s original 13 virtues "starter set" or create your own custom virtues. If you’re not sure which virtue to focus upon, let the universe decide for you with the apps unique "Select Random" feature.
To put the app into action, identify a virtue, tap it, select a focus period start date and monitor your progress/score daily. Scoring is subjective – grade yourself up to 5.0 for how well you achieved the virtue you are working on. You can give yourself a negative score for days that didn’t go so well. Track your success in demonstrating virtues in your character – and see how well your overall well being improves.
Benjamin Franklin recognized early on the importance of refining his character to realize success. At the time he conceived of his unique tracking system, he was largely in debt and was known to be argumentative and an often abrasive person. By isolating the weak points in his character, and then identifying desired character traits (and related virtues), he charted a course for improvement so profound that he marveled at the long-standing results over the course of his life.
About Virtues
Virtues for the iPhone is available now at the App Store for only $2.99.
http://itunes.apple.com/
Coming soon: Virtues for Android and BlackBerry devices.
About Equilibrium Enterprises
Equilibrium Enterprises delivers applications and publications designed to add a tech twist to age-old precepts for achieving success. For more information, visit www.equilibrium-
