Persuading others to your point of view requires patience and endurance. Franklin assumed that people change their minds only slowly and indirectly. Ben would say: “If you don’t win the bargain today, go after it again tomorrow.” Here are some of the tips Franklin recommends for initiating persuasion:
1. Be clear, in your own mind, about exactly what you’re after.
2. Do your homework, so that you are fully prepared to discuss every aspect and respond to every question or comment.
3. Be persistent. Don’t expect to “win” the first time. Your first job is just to start the other person thinking.
4. Make friends of the person you are bargaining with. Put your bargain in terms of that person’s needs, wants, advantages, and benefits.
5. Keep you sense of humor!
I’ve read a lot about our Founding Fathers. They were men of great faith, and great action on that faith. I read the following quote and it reminded me of our Founding Fathers, especially George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and James Madison. Yes, and others. Here’s the quote:
One of the character traits that Benjamin Franklin wanted to pursue to perfection as described in his “Project for Moral Perfection” was Tranquility. He defined it thus: “Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.”
“Life with fools consists in drinking; With the wise man living’s thinking.” Benjamin Franklin.
Of course Franklin knew these words were directly in the Declaration of Independence, which was upheld by the United States Constitution. He helped draft both of them. But the meaning of the direct words is vouchsafed by our Constitution.
It’s absolutely a fact that the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson, in Philadelphia. Jefferson was a member of the committee assigned by the Continental Congress to create such a document if one should be needed. The committee was made up of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. They chose Jefferson to write the draft for their review and approval. He did. At the Graff House. The committee approved it with only minor changes.