Episode Overview

Podcast: Your Daily Real Estate Podcast with Tristan Ahumada
Episode: 768 – Why Benjamin Franklin Hated To Do Lists
Host: Tristan Ahumada
Date: January 6, 2026
Duration: ~5 minutes

Main Theme:
Tristan explores Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues system—a centuries-old habit-tracking method—and discusses how its disciplined, focused approach is far superior to modern to-do lists for real estate professionals. He details how Franklin's incremental, virtue-by-virtue method can help agents avoid overwhelm and build lasting habits. Tristan also shares how he has adapted Franklin’s virtues for his own life and business development.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The False Promise of To-Do Lists (00:00–01:20)

• Tristan opens with Franklin’s practice of tracking failures rather than wins, using black dots to mark his shortcomings in a daily notebook.
• Key Idea:

  “It’s not about waking up tomorrow and suddenly becoming a prospecting machine. It’s about focusing on one thing at a time until it becomes part of who you are.” (Tristan, 00:32)

• He critiques the agent mentality of trying to change everything at once (“I’m going to… post on social, call my database… all starting Monday”), which inevitably leads to overwhelm.
• Franklin’s system: focus on mastering one virtue per week, then move on, cycling through all 13 four times a year.
• Memorable Quote:

  “Not because you’re lazy, because you’re overwhelmed. Franklin was a genius, and even he knew he couldn’t tackle everything at once.” (Tristan, 00:48)

2. The 13 Virtues: What They Are, How Tristan Adapts Them (01:20–05:00)

Each virtue, as Franklin described it, is explained along with Tristan’s interpretation, modifications, and relevance to real estate.

Temperance (01:22)

• Franklin’s View: “Eat not to dullness, drink not to elevation.”
• Real Estate Application: Self-restraint for energy and focus.
• Tristan: Kept this virtue at the top.

  “For him, temperance was important. For you, is this one you want to keep?” (Tristan, 01:37)

Silence → Listen (01:46)

• Franklin: “Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.”
• Tristan’s Change: Focus more on listening.

  “Listening more than speaking and avoiding gossip... Do you need this in your business?” (Tristan, 01:59)

Order (02:15)

• Franklin: “Let all your things have their places; each part of business its time.”
• Application: Organization and time management.
• Tristan: Admits he, like Franklin, struggles with this because of many ideas.

  “You would think he would probably have this one down, but... he had the same challenge we do.” (Tristan, 02:30)

Resolution → Connect (02:36)

• Franklin: “Resolve to perform what you ought.”
• Tristan’s Change: Focus instead on deeper connections, slowing down to connect rather than rushing.

  “I have a challenge moving fast. Sometimes I don’t slow down enough to connect with others.” (Tristan, 02:45)

Frugality (02:53)

• Franklin: “Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; waste nothing.”
• Expansion: Treat both time and money frugally.
• Tristan: Kept this, highlights “be frugal with your time.”

Industry → Read (03:08)

• Franklin: “Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful.”
• Tristan’s Change: Replaced with “Read”—wants better consistency in his reading, rather than always being productive.

  “For you, maybe industry’s great. For me, I need to shut off sometimes; I put ‘read.’” (Tristan, 03:16)

Sincerity (03:25)

• Franklin: “Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly.”
• Tristan’s Twist: Added focus on sincerity to self—accountability and self-honesty.

Justice (03:45)

• Franklin: “Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”
• Application: Fulfilling obligations, keeping promises.
• Tristan: Considers changing the word, but keeps focus on duty and trust.

  “If you can’t even show up when you said... how do you expect us to trust you?” (Tristan, 03:52)

Moderation (04:00)

• Franklin: “Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries.”
• Application: Emotional balance, avoiding extreme reactions.

Cleanliness → Love (04:10)

• Franklin: “Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.”
• Tristan’s Change: Swapped for family connection (“Love”)—wanting to slow down and connect more with family.

Tranquility (04:30)

• Franklin: “Be not disturbed at trifles or at accidents, common or unavoidable.”
• Application: Maintaining inner peace under stress.

  “Don’t let those things ruin your day. It’s how you react that matters.” (Tristan, 04:37)

Chastity → Emotions/Being Present (04:45)

• Franklin: Sexual discipline and responsibility.
• Tristan’s Change: Focuses on emotional tracking (“Emotions”), moving toward presence (“Am I present in the moment?”)

  “That’s my goal—being present.” (Tristan, 04:56)

Humility (05:00)

• Franklin: “Imitate Jesus and Socrates.” Originally added when a friend pointed out Franklin’s arrogance.
• Tristan: Kept humility, mindful of his approach with people.

3. Franklin’s Daily Bookending Habit (05:07)

• Franklin started and ended each day with two powerful reflective questions:
  • Morning: “What good shall I do this day?”
  • Evening: “What good have I done this day?”
• Tristan's Highlight: Recommends this simple check-in technique for daily improvement and mindfulness.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Overwhelm:

  “Not because you’re lazy, because you’re overwhelmed.” (Tristan, 00:48)

• Habit Overhaul:

  “Imagine applying the same discipline to your real estate business... What if instead of trying to fix everything at once, you spent one week mastering your morning routine, the next week perfecting your follow up calls...” (Tristan, 01:11)

• On Authenticity:

  “Am I being sincere to myself in the way that I talk to myself? In being truthful in what I’m actually doing and where I’m actually at?” (Tristan, 03:31)

• Presence and Family:

  “I go through parts of the day where I could slow down a little bit more and connect with my family.” (Tristan, 04:19)

• Tranquility and Stoicism:

  “Don’t let those things that are going to happen ruin your day. It’s how you react that matters. Very stoic, right?” (Tristan, 04:37)

• Daily Bookends:

  “What good shall I do this day? ... What good have I done this day? Pretty nice, right?” (Tristan, 05:09)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–01:20: Franklin’s productivity philosophy; the “one thing at a time” lesson
• 01:20–05:00: Breakdown of the 13 virtues, with Tristan’s adaptations
• 05:07–05:22: Franklin’s daily morning/evening questions for accountability and self-improvement

Summary Table: Franklin’s Virtues vs. Tristan’s Adaptations

| # | Franklin’s Virtue | Tristan’s Version (if changed) | Key Application | |----|------------------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------------------------| | 1 | Temperance | Temperance | Self-restraint, energy | | 2 | Silence | Listen | Listen, avoid chatter | | 3 | Order | Order | Organization | | 4 | Resolution | Connect | Follow through, connect deeper | | 5 | Frugality | Frugality | Wise use of time & money | | 6 | Industry | Read | Balanced productivity, lifelong learning | | 7 | Sincerity | Sincerity (introspective emphasis) | Authenticity, self-accountability | | 8 | Justice | Justice (duty-focused) | Keeping promises, fairness | | 9 | Moderation | Moderation | Balance, emotional control | | 10 | Cleanliness | Love (family connection) | Tidiness, family connection | | 11 | Tranquility | Tranquility | Inner peace, resilience | | 12 | Chastity | Emotions/Presence | Emotional awareness, presence | | 13 | Humility | Humility | Openness, respect, learning |

Final Thoughts

Tristan makes a compelling argument for shifting away from overburdening to-do lists toward a practice of cultivating habits one at a time, as exemplified by Benjamin Franklin. By sharing his personal adaptations and advocating for a tailored approach, Tristan’s episode is both practical and motivating for real estate professionals seeking substantial, lasting growth in their business and life.