Most people imagine spending their “perfect” day by relaxing next to a stunning view with family and friends while enjoying their favorite hobbies. Rarely, does one think of a “perfect” day as one filled with hard work, but is relaxing really more satisfying than hard work? In order to find out the answer, I decided to experiment. In Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, The Autobiography and Other Writings, Franklin created a virtue experiment so that he could form a habit of being virtuous. His experiment consists of thirteen virtues, and Franklin practiced one virtue every week. Following his example, I chose to practice the virtue, industry. In his autobiography, Franklin defines industry as “lose no time. Be always employ’d in something
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A few years ago, I endeavored to undertake Franklin’s virtue experiment, but I never ended up doing it. Now, I am glad that I persisted throughout this experiment, and although I still get distracted from my priorities and my work, I have learned a lot about industry from this experiment. I learned that in order to be industrious, one needs to identify his or her priorities, eliminate distractions, and get enough rest in order to thoroughly accomplish his or her tasks. After my experiment ended, I continued practicing industry by limiting my use of websites and exercising diligence. Although Franklin’s definition of industry prevented me from having adequate rest, the exhaustion that I had from working hard was a rewarding fatigue. While a day of relaxing might sound gratifying, a day of productive work sounds more satisfying to me. I value industry because I know that my time on earth is limited. Psalm 39:4-5 states, “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!” With only so less time on earth, I do not want to waste any of my time on earth. Instead, why not use my momentary life to bring glory to
A few years ago, I endeavored to undertake Franklin’s virtue experiment, but I never ended up doing it. Now, I am glad that I persisted throughout this experiment, and although I still get distracted from my priorities and my work, I have learned a lot about industry from this experiment. I learned that in order to be industrious, one needs to identify his or her priorities, eliminate distractions, and get enough rest in order to thoroughly accomplish his or her tasks. After my experiment ended, I continued practicing industry by limiting my use of websites and exercising diligence. Although Franklin’s definition of industry prevented me from having adequate rest, the exhaustion that I had from working hard was a rewarding fatigue. While a day of relaxing might sound gratifying, a day of productive work sounds more satisfying to me. I value industry because I know that my time on earth is limited. Psalm 39:4-5 states, “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!” With only so less time on earth, I do not want to waste any of my time on earth. Instead, why not use my momentary life to bring glory to