Ben Franklin, Entrepreneur

Benjamin Franklin would have been 300 this past Tuesday! Although Franklin was a noted writer, scientist and statesman, he considered himself to be -- a businessperson. He is also known for sage advice in Poor Richard's Almanac. Entrepreneur Almost Daily honored Franklin on his birthday with a post that says, "Among his many entrepreneurial accomplishments, he established America's first media empire (which started with his newspaper, The Pennsylvania Gazette), first public library, first fire brigade, first book club and first franchise..."  Some sound advice from Ben for any entrepreneur included in this post:

1. Commit to what you ought to do and always carry out your commitments.
2. Don't waste your money. Let your only expenses be the doing of good to others or yourself.
3. Don't waste your time. Spend your time on useful matters and refrain from unnecessary activities.
4. Avoid injuring others by your actions or withholding from them the benefits they deserve.
5. Don't be overtaken by either small irritants or by the larger troubles that are sure to come.

One through three are common sense (which, of course, Poor Richard was noted for). Number 4 is an interesting comment on business ethics, which we need more of these days.  I read Number 5 as "Don't sweat the small stuff."  And maybe the big stuff, too. A hard one to do, but important to strive for.