A Founding Father’s Guide to Time Management

Anyone who’s ever gotten to know me, knows how much I love America. One big reason for this deep admiration is my respect for its Founding Fathers—not just for their incredible political genius, but also for their commitment to living virtuous lives.

Among them, Benjamin Franklin stands out as an example of this dedication, particularly in his relationship with time. Franklin was a pioneer in the art of time management, believing that the deliberate use of time was key to living a truly virtuous life.

He famously developed a structured daily routine that balanced work, rest, meals, and reflection. Franklin’s journal wasn’t just a to-do list; it was a tool for self-improvement. By tracking his tasks and reflecting on his actions, he continuously refined his approach to life.

This system helped him achieve remarkable success as an inventor, writer, diplomat, and scientist—all while staying true to his principles.

Anatomy of Progress Tracking

Below is an example of his time blocking that he shared in his Autobiography.

Dissecting his routine will help us uncover valuable lessons for personal progress tracking.

At the heart of Franklin’s system was daily reflection and intention-setting, a practice that helped him focus on purposeful living. Each morning, he asked himself, “What good shall I do this day?” This question framed his day around positive action, setting the tone for productivity. At the end of the day, he reflected with, “What good have I done today?” By closing the loop, he held himself accountable, ensuring he didn’t just plan but also followed through. It’s important to bookend your day with intention and reflection to ensure consistency and mindfulness.

Another key aspect of Franklin’s method was his commitment to structured time management. He divided his day into specific blocks dedicated to work, rest, meals, and reflection, creating a balanced routine that allowed him to maximize his output while avoiding burnout. Time blocking ensures that each hour of the day is used deliberately.

Franklin’s use of journaling to track tasks highlights the value of visualization in progress tracking. By documenting his goals and achievements, he stayed aware of his actions and created a record of his growth. Journaling allows you to identify, acknowledge, and record small wins, which can accumulate over time into significant achievements. 

Franklin’s system shows that progress tracking is more than just staying organized—it’s a deliberate practice of aligning daily actions with long-term goals. It also provides a feedback loop for reflection and growth, offering clarity and building momentum in the pursuit of excellence.

Experiment, Adapt, Succeed

In this post, I’ve outlined timeless principles for tracking progress—daily reflection, structured routines, and journaling. As they served one of the greatest minds that ever lived, they can serve as a foundation for progress tracking in your life. And the beauty of Benjamin Franklin’s approach lies in its adaptability, allowing you to experiment and create a system that works for your unique goals and circumstances. 

It’s all about finding what best fits your life.

Homework: Think about ways to incorporate these principles into your life. Try it out. Stick to it for two weeks. See how it goes.

In Part 2 of Tracking Progress, I’ll explore specific tools and techniques used by today’s greats to stay on track. These strategies will help you take your personal growth to the next level.