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Why Constant Learners All Embrace the 5-Hour Rule
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Why Constant Learners All Embrace the 5-Hour Rule


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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Concrete Examples
  • For Beginners

Recommendation

Benjamin Franklin – a polymath, inventor and one of America’s Founding Fathers – displayed little aptitude as a youngster. Yet by following a path of continual and deliberate learning, he achieved extraordinary success across multiple disciplines. Following in Franklin’s footsteps may seem like a lofty target, but his formula for learning is surprisingly simple: Dedicate an hour per day to self-improvement. In an era of rapid transformation, optimizing learning techniques is a must for anyone participating in the workforce.

Summary

As a teenager, Benjamin Franklin displayed no discernible skill beyond his love of books. Yet upon his death, he was a highly regarded inventor, author, entrepreneur and politician. Franklin’s success is attributable to the “five-hour rule” – that is, dedicating an hour a day, five days a week, to deliberate learning. Franklin rose early each day to study. He identified virtues he wanted to practice and tracked his progress. He established a society of like-minded individuals who wanted to better themselves. He tested the validity of his ideas, and he took time each day to ask reflective questions. Setting aside time to study...

About the Speaker

Michael Simmons is an author and social enterpreneur.