Ben Franklin had 13 virtues that he practiced one at a time for a week each.
You can find his list here.
With inspiration, I developed my own list of virtues.
- Be Challenged. Keep a list of near impossible problems that you are trying to solve, and actually try to solve them.
- Be Creative. Try new things. Do things differently. Express yourself. Produce beautiful work.
- Fail Quickly. Do not be timid or afraid of failure. Do not hedge your bets. Boldly embrace the risks you take. Be willing to fail big and publicly. And then get back up.
- Manage your Time and Space. Keep a schedule. Develop routines. Organize your life when it is helpful. Track your time, and lost time spent searching.
- Practice Minimalism. Only possess what adds value. Keep possessions, relationships, and obligations simple. Do not try to, or plan on, being overwhelmed.
- Choose Wisely. Do not involve yourself with people, things, or projects that take more than they give.
- Be Peaceable. Do not violate conscience in your treatment of others. Do not harass others when they do not first oppose you.
- Require Equality. Allow no person to treat you in a manner in which you could not, or would not feel comfortable treating them.
- Hold your Tongue. Do not quarrel with drunks, zealots, or those lacking in wisdom or intelligence, when you know that you disagree, or there is no chance they will hear wisdom or sound reason.
- Be Sustainable. Do not overindulge. Build systems that renew themselves. Solve need through remarkable systems, not recurring effort.
- Be Content. Choose to view your circumstances at all times as positive, workable, and acceptable, especially when you cannot change them. Remember that in all your hardship, you have never been hungry, and that there are children in this world whose monsters are real.
- Be Helpful. Teach those who will learn from you, and find solutions for those who cannot if it costs you nothing to do so.
- Focus on the Long Term. Do nothing for immediate gain that will cause long term pain. Plan for the future. See the big picture. Defer gratification.