Benjamin Franklin
Polymath, Inventor, Founding Father • 1706-1790
One of America's Founding Fathers, Franklin was a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, and political philosopher.
Daily Schedule
What to Learn from Benjamin's Routine
Franklin's routine exemplifies the Enlightenment ideal of structured self-improvement. His day began with the question 'What good shall I do this day?' and ended with 'What good have I done today?' This reflective bookending created accountability. He allocated large morning and evening blocks (4 hours each) to focused work, recognizing that creative and administrative tasks require sustained attention. His two-hour midday break wasn't laziness—it included lunch, reading, and 'overlooking his accounts,' essentially a daily review. The routine reveals his understanding of energy management: intense work blocks separated by restorative activities. Most striking is his commitment to only 7 hours of sleep, allowing 13 waking hours for productive pursuits. While modern sleep science suggests this may be insufficient, Franklin's routine demonstrates how intentional time allocation and regular reflection can maximize daily impact. His system influenced countless productivity methods, from time-blocking to daily reviews.
Key Takeaways
- •Start and end each day with reflective questions
- •Protect large blocks (4+ hours) for deep work
- •Build in midday review and planning time
- •Separate work blocks with restorative activities
Sources
- • The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
- • Daily Rituals by Mason Currey
Key Takeaways from Benjamin Franklin's Routine
- 1.Start and end each day with reflective questions
- 2.Protect large blocks (4+ hours) for deep work
- 3.Build in midday review and planning time
- 4.Separate work blocks with restorative activities
What We Can Learn
Benjamin Franklin's routine demonstrates several important principles of effective time management. As a polymath, inventor, founding father, their approach to structuring the day reveals insights into balancing historical and creative-work. The routine shows how intentional time allocation and consistent patterns can maximize productivity and impact.
Modern professionals can adapt these principles by focusing on the underlying patterns rather than exact timing. The key is understanding your own energy cycles and aligning important work with peak performance hours, just as Benjamin Franklin did.