Contrary to popular belief, Benjamin Franklin was not the original quotee of the popular saying “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” However, there is no doubt that this saying was made popular because of him.
The first appearance of this quote in history was found in a Christian periodical – (a magazine or journal published specifically for Christians; written from an evangelical perspective for an evangelical community) written by Reverend H. K. Williams, published in 1919. After Williams, the aforementioned quote has been mentioned in numerous ways by different people at certain points in history until 1970 when Benjamin used it in a newspaper publication known as “The Minneapolis Tribune.”
It is quite easy, however, to attribute this adage to Benjamin as he wrote extensively on planning and time management in his books. A similar quote to this would be:
“Lost Time is never found again; and what we call Time-enough, always proves little enough: Let us then up and be doing, and doing to the Purpose” Poor Richard’s Almanack
Both quotes tell us that planning and effective time management go hand in hand. That’s why it’s so important to have a solid plan in place before you embark on any new venture. By planning ahead, you can increase your chances of success and avoid making costly mistakes.
Who was Benjamin Franklin
If you have ever come across a one hundred dollar bill, then you have surely met Benjamin. Benjamin Franklin was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States, and he was responsible for many of the country’s early financial successes. Franklin was born in 1706 and died in 1790, and during his long life, he accomplished quite a bit. He was an author, scientist, diplomat, statesman and actively involved in the printer trade among other things. Franklin is also known for being an advocate of democracy and free speech. He was a very important figure in American history, and his legacy still lives on today.
It is quite shocking to know that Ben in all his splendor had to drop out of school at age 10 due to financial constraints. He was the 10th child out of a family of 17! The vivid lesson we can extract from his life is that success is not determined by family backgrounds, economic situations or civilization. Success will come to you as long as you are ready to work for it.
It is easy to attribute the success of a rich man to his father or the city where he was raised but in the case of Benjamin, his chances of success were very slim; all the odds were against him. At the time Benjamin lived, America was still under the British colony. Franklin helped in drafting the Declaration of Independence just before he died. He is referred to as “The first American” as he was an early advocate of colonial unity. His path from rags to riches is the most American thing about him, and it is also the first thing most people think of when United States comes to mind. Franklin was not conceived by a great nation, instead he made, a great nation.
What is the meaning of this quote?
This quote is often used as motivation to encourage people to make a plan and stick to it. But it can also be interpreted more broadly, as a reminder that any goal is more likely to be achieved if you have a clear plan of action. So, whether you’re trying to lose weight, save money, or start a business, remember: if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.
We can tell that the enormous impact that Ben was able to make in his 84 years on earth is largely a result of proper planning. One striking thing about Ben is the fact that he could play perfectly in diverse career fields and win. At anything he did, he put in his life and that life is what gave birth to the American dream. Benjamin could have settled on being a great writer and author but he didn’t stop there, he went into science and beat some of the top scientists at their own game.
“Dost thou love Life? Then do not squander Time; for that’s the Stuff Life is made of” (Franklin, 1946)
The importance of Planning
A well-thought-out plan will give you a clear sense of direction and help you achieve your long-term goals. It will also reduce mistakes and distractions along the way.
The peak of Franklin`s career should have been his print trade, because that was the best education he received at that time. But Franklin had a plan. For the rest of the education he could not receive formally, he taught himself. He taught himself to write so well that at age 17 he wrote a 14-series essay known as the “Silence Dogood.” These essays were so good that his own older brother never suspected that he wrote them.
It’s essential to have something to strive for in the present, as well as something to look forward to in the future. Otherwise, life can become quite monotonous. This explains why Ben didn’t settle for printing. He accomplished that feat and moved on to the next venture (Science) and soon to another (Politics)
Step-by-step guide on planning.
- Figure out your long-term vision:
- Break long-term vision into long-term goals
- Create short-term goals for your long-term goals
- Design a routine for yourself
- Have concrete deadlines
What do you want to accomplish in the next five years? Ten years? Think about it carefully and make sure its something you really want, since lost time is never found again. Who is powerful? He that governs his Passions. (Franklin, 1755)
By breaking our vision into smaller steps, we are forced to act on them. “The Cat in Gloves catches no Mice.” ( Franklin, 1754)
When it comes to achieving our long-term vision, we often get so caught up in the big picture that we forget to focus on the smaller goals that will help us get there.
Having a routine can help increase your productivity. If you have a specific time for when you do certain tasks, you are more likely to get them done in a an efficient manner and less likely to procrastinate. This is because you are less likely to get distracted or side-tracked.
Deadlines help you stay on track and focused on your goals. Having a timeline for your project can also help you estimate how much time you’ll need to complete it, and it can keep you accountable to yourself and others.
Key success secrets to achieving your goals
- Keep on learning
- Prepare for setbacks
- Factor in the finances
From a Child I, was fond of Reading, and all the little Money that came into my Hands was ever laid out in Books (Franklin, The autobiography, 1818)
Setbacks are part of the process but they shouldn’t take you off track. The governor of Pennsylvania; Keith, promised to help Ben set up his business. The governor never kept his promise, Ben only found out halfway through his journey that Keith had failed him but that didn’t stop him.
Money fuels our plans, hence we must manage it wisely. If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the Philosophers-Stone. (Franklin,1736)