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The 13 Secrets Of Success – Franklin’s Timeless Principles

How I Learned The Secrets Of Success In Selling
While recently on a weekend road trip I decided to stop in at a small town to stock up on food, conveniently enough I stumbled upon an old second-hand bookshop in the process.
After speaking with the shop owner for a brief while about Dale Carnegie and Napoleon Hill (classic self help authors) he rushed out the back to grab me a book that was recently traded in, he insisted it was a must read.

I left several minutes later with a 1981 print of "How I Learned The Secrets Of Success In Selling" by Frank Bettger.

frank bettger

Until a couple of weeks ago I had never heard of this book, since then I've read it cover to cover twice and took numerous notes.

Frank elaborates on Benjamin Franklin's 13 principles for a successful life, and how these were apparent in his own life when on the baseball field as a professional athlete as well as in his sales career.

Here's my summary of How I Learned The Secrets Of Success In Selling..

13 principles, 13 weeks - spend 1 week laser focusing on each principle before rinsing and repeating.

1. Enthusiasm

"If you could give one gift let it be enthusiasm"

You become more enthusiastic by ACTING more enthusiastic.
If you can double your enthusiasm towards your business or your job a 100% increase in happiness and business revenue isn't uncommon!

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Writing for Peanuts by Matt Forney Review - A Newbie's Guide To Making Cold Hard Cash Online Today

2. Self Organization

Take time to think and plan.
A lack of organization, regardless of the endeavour will lead to a lack of success.

The only self organization method you need:

- Make a list of tasks that must be performed
- Number the list in order of importance
- Start on task 1, do not shift your attention until it's complete
- Work your way down the list

3. Others

Find out what others want, then help them get it.

If you don't have a target aka. a want you're out of luck.

"No gunner became a sharpshooter without a bullseye"

4. Questions

Imitate Socrates by asking questions.
Questions clarify the needs and wants of others and help you understand their point of view.

When in doubt on a situation utilize the algebraic questioning method (rule up a page in half with columns 'why' and 'why not').

5. Listen

Listen more, speak less.

The magic formula:

- Find out the interests of the other person
- Ask compelling questions related to their aforementioned interests
- Listen intently!

6. Resolution

Discipline yourself or be disciplined by the world.

The scriptures say "he that conquers himself is greater than he that taketh the city"

Resolutions must become habitual by constant practise and reinforcement.

7. Frugality

Pay yourself first!

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How To Succeed By Avoiding The Herd

As Ben Franklin said "The second vice is lying, the first is running into debt, and lying rides upon debts book".

8. Sincerity

"Have the strength of character to be true when no one else will know the difference."

Don't think deceitfully, think innocently and speak accordingly.

9. Praise Vs. Criticism

Speak ill of no man.
Speak all the good you know of everybody, even your enemies (it'll confuse them).

Criticism by coaches, mentors and the like does nothing but harm.
Praise and encouragement forges stars.

10. Health

Increase your satiety (feeling of fullness) by chewing your food more. Frank recommends 32 times per mouthful.
Exercise daily.
Don't forget the importance of stretching.

11. Happiness

Don't allow external factors and events outside of your control affect your mood, focus on what you can control instead.
You can't smile and worry at the same time, so smile more.

12. Humility

"He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals"
Benjamin Franklin added this principal in at the last moment as he felt something was missing.

13. Faith

Fear is a lack of faith; lack of faith is ignorance.
The book gets quite spiritual in this part, however the point stressed is have faith in what you're doing - believe it's possible and you'll have the power you need.

See also
Chasing Your Goals, The Grind & The 5 Year Rule

Pick up your copy of the book here.

Are there any other little known books that you'd recommend checking out? Let me know in the comments below!

Scott J.
Scott J.https://ignorelimits.com
I’m SJ. I’m a fitness enthusiast and published author. I transformed my body from a skinny fat 135lbs with 18% body fat to a solid 192lbs at 8% body fat. I became qualified in a field I was passionate about. I founded several online businesses that allow me to pursue ideas and projects in my life that I am passionate about without having to constantly worry about money. I published several eBooks explaining the training and dieting techniques I used to achieve the body I have today. I learnt a plethora of new information on dieting and fitness by reading and applying what I read, to find out what does work and what doesn’t work, because as I’m sure you’ve noticed the health and fitness industry is full of non-sense claims and BS. I found out what was true and what worked for me and applied that knowledge. And you bet I had fun during the whole process.

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