With rates of depression and anxiety steadily increasing in the COVID-19 era, self-help is big business. Internet gurus promise peace of mind, financial freedom, and happiness if we just click the link, take the course, or watch a video. Most are scams, some have merit, but all come with a catch—mostly financial. A distressed population may be quite willing to fork over hard-earned cash for a quick fix to inner turmoil and existential crises. But what if there was a simple, free, and highly effective alternative for achieving success? Well, there is: It’s the method Benjamin Franklin used to help draft the Declaration of Independence, invent the lightning rod, become the first postmaster general, and earn his place on the $100 bill. One could add the father of self-improvement to that list of accomplishments. It’s worth noting that he came from poverty and dropped out of school at the age …