What if Benjamin Franklin used STN?

Hello Folks,

Welcome to this week’s edition of Noteworthy, where we take on Franklin’s Wisdom

"The questions we ask shape the lives we build."

Three centuries ago, Benjamin Franklin figured something out that most of us still struggle with: the secret to a life well-lived isn’t in doing more; it’s in doing what matters.

At just 20, Franklin built his day around two deceptively simple questions:

👉 What good shall I do today?
👉 What good have I done today?

These questions aren’t just reflections; they’re resets. A reality check.

A daily nudge to make sure your actions line up with your intentions.

Franklin’s Formula: Why It Still Works

1. Start with Intent

When you ask yourself “What good shall I do today?” You’re not just planning—you’re prioritizing. It’s like building a roadmap before you set off on a journey. Without it, you’re wandering.

2. Reflection = Progress

The evening question—*“What good have I done today?”—*is about accountability. It’s about validating your effort, recognizing what worked, and spotting where you could do better. Growth starts here.

3. Small Wins > Big Plans

Franklin wasn’t chasing motivation—he was building momentum. His system proves that big changes don’t need big moves; they just need small, consistent steps.

Reinventing Franklin for Today

Life’s faster now, and more complex. But Franklin’s wisdom is timeless.

Here’s how we can take his approach and make it work for the modern hustle:

Morning (5 min): Start Strong

☀️ What’s one meaningful thing I’ll focus on today?
☀️ Who’s one person I’ll make smile today?

Midday (2 min): Check the Compass

💡 Am I staying true to my focus?
💡 What one tweak can make the rest of my day better?

Evening (5 min): Reflect and Recharge

🌙 What’s one thing I’m proud of today?
🌙 What’s one way I can level up tomorrow?

Here’s Where It Gets Interesting

What if Franklin had a tool like Speech to Note » Forget writing for hours.

This tool lets you speak your thoughts, and voilà—they’re instantly organized into notes.

🎤 Journal without journaling. Just talk.
📋 Use pre-designed templates or create your own format (yes, Franklin would’ve approved).
🚀 Bonus: It’s like having your own personal growth assistant on speed dial.

Pro Tip: Pair the app with Franklin’s framework above and you’re not just tracking your days—you’re optimizing them.

Let’s Make This Fun

Franklin was a guy who gamified his life. Let’s see how aligned you are with his philosophy:

1. What’s your definition of “doing good” today?
a) Helping someone in need
b) Learning something new
c) Prioritizing your well-being

2. What’s your end-of-day ritual?
a) Journaling
b) Scrolling through wins
c) Meditating

3. Franklin worked on 13 virtues (e.g., Temperance, Industry). Which one would you tackle first?
a) Managing time better
b) Deepening empathy
c) Unlocking creativity

Drop your answers in the comments. Let’s compare notes and maybe steal a tip or two from each other.

Franklin didn’t have smartphones, productivity apps, or LinkedIn.

But what he had was a mindset, a commitment to showing up with intention and leaving the day better than he found it.

If he could do it in the 1700s, what’s stopping us?

Start with one small win today. Just one.

And watch what happens next.

See you in the next one,

Abhishek.