Personal Manifesto Sample

A personal manifesto sample is a written declaration of core values, beliefs, and guiding principles that serves as both a statement of philosophy and a call to action. Effective manifestos range from Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues (1726) to the Holstee Manifesto (2009), which was shared millions of times and translated into 14+ languages. The best personal manifestos are concise enough to review daily, use action-oriented language like “I will” statements, and function as a decision-making compass for career and life choices.

Key Takeaways:

• Manifestos come in many formats — from single-page bullet points to paragraph-style declarations, there’s no single “right” way
• Famous examples work as templates — Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues and the Holstee Manifesto show two proven approaches you can adapt
• Action language matters most — effective manifestos use “I will” or present-tense statements, not vague aspirations
• Daily review is what makes them useful — a manifesto you don’t revisit is just a journal entry

What Is a Personal Manifesto?

A personal manifesto is a written declaration of your core values, beliefs, and intentions— a statement of what you stand for and how you plan to live. Think of it as communication between your present and future self— providing access to a calmer, more rational version of you during difficult periods.

It’s not just wall art.

A manifesto functions as both a statement of principles and a call to action. It’s a public declaration of your intentions, a simple articulation of what you believe and a vision of the world you wish to create. And unlike a mission statement (which describes what you do), a manifesto declares what you believe and why it matters.

But here’s the thing— there’s no shortage of advice about writing manifestos. Finding a good example? That’s harder. Most articles show you one, maybe two fragments and call it a day.

Before you write your own, it helps to see what effective ones actually look like. Here are five personal manifesto samples, ranging from a 300-year-old virtue system to modern declarations of purpose.

Sample 1: Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues (1726)

Benjamin Franklin created one of the earliest and most famous personal manifestos at age 20— a list of 13 virtues, each with a one-line definition, that he practiced systematically for the rest of his life.

He called it his “bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection.” He didn’t achieve perfection. He knew he wouldn’t. But that wasn’t really the point.

According to Farnam Street’s analysis of Franklin’s system, Franklin listed thirteen virtues and focused on one virtue per week, while remaining mindful of the others. Each day, he marked a small dot whenever he failed to live up to a virtue— not to shame himself, but to see patterns clearly.

Here are several of his virtues with their original definitions:

• Temperance: “Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation”
• Silence: “Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation”
• Order: “Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time”
• Resolution: “Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve”
• Frugality: “Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; waste nothing”
• Industry: “Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions”
• Sincerity: “Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly”

With 13 virtues and 52 weeks in a year, Franklin could cycle through the entire list four times annually. That’s the system— structured, specific, and honest about imperfection.

What makes Franklin’s manifesto work isn’t that it’s famous. It works because every principle has a concrete definition. “Temperance” isn’t just a word on a page. It’s “eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.” You know exactly what it means. You can measure it.

He didn’t expect perfection. He expected awareness.

Franklin’s approach was structured and private. The next example takes the opposite approach— a public declaration that went viral.

Sample 2: The Holstee Manifesto (2009)

The Holstee Manifesto began as a few sentences scrawled on the steps of Union Square in New York City— and became one of the most shared personal manifestos in history, translated into 14+ languages.

Here’s the backstory. In 2009, brothers Dave and Mike Radparvar and their friend Fabian Pfortmuller had just left corporate jobs. The timing wasn’t great— the 2008 recession was still grinding through the economy. But instead of writing a business plan, they sat down on those steps and wrote their definition of success.

According to WNYC Studios’ reporting on the manifesto’s origin, it started as the “About” page on their company website. Then it spread. And spread. The Washington Post called it “the next ‘Just Do It.’”

The manifesto’s core message is direct and emotionally charged— life is short, do what you love, share your passion, live your dream. The creators described it as a “time capsule” and a “message to our future selves.”

What makes the Holstee Manifesto powerful isn’t its polish. Three people wrote it sitting on concrete steps during one of the worst economic downturns in recent memory. It works because it’s emotionally honest. It says the things most people feel but don’t say out loud.

And that’s worth noting— writing your manifesto when everything feels uncertain might actually be the best time to do it. Clarity about what matters doesn’t require clarity about what’s next.

The Holstee Manifesto is sweeping and emotional. But a manifesto can also be practical and focused on daily work.

Sample 3: Todd Henry’s 9 Principles for Creative Work

Todd Henry, author of The Accidental Creative, built a 9-principle personal manifesto designed specifically to guide his daily creative work and decision-making.

His framing is refreshingly practical. A manifesto, he says, is a “set of guiding principles by which you make decisions and invest in your work.” Or as he puts it— “In a complex world, it gives you a simple set of rules by which to live.”

Here are several of his principles:

• Bring your passion — show up fully to the work you do
• Be ordered — create structure that supports your creativity
• Do what works — focus on effectiveness, not perfection
• Be fiercely curious — never stop learning and exploring
• Run your race — don’t compare your journey to someone else’s

Notice how different this feels from the Holstee Manifesto. No sweeping declarations about the meaning of life. Just practical principles for showing up well to your work, day after day.

And both are valid.

This format is particularly useful if sweeping declarations make you uncomfortable. Not everyone needs a manifesto that reads like poetry. Some people need a checklist they can reference before making a hard call. Henry’s manifesto shows others what matters to him and builds consistency— it’s a filter for decisions, not a frame for the wall.

Henry’s manifesto focuses on work. The next example connects values to a deeper sense of purpose and calling.

Sample 4: A Purpose-Focused Manifesto

A purpose-focused manifesto goes beyond principles for daily work— it declares what you believe about your place in the world and the change you’re committed to creating.

This is where manifestos get personal. Really personal.

A manifesto like this answers hard questions. What do you believe? What would you defend despite the cost? What world are you pursuing? These aren’t casual journal prompts. Writing your answers down— and meaning them— takes guts.

The Meaning Movement started with its own version of this— “The Meaning Manifesto: Foundational Truths for Work Worth Doing.” At its core are two ideas that have guided everything since: “you were made to make something” and “you have something to say.” Simple statements. But they’ve shaped thousands of conversations about purpose, calling, and finding your life purpose.

A purpose-focused manifesto connects your values to action. It’s not just “I believe in creativity.” It’s “I will use my creativity to serve people who feel stuck.” The “I will” changes everything.

And there’s research to back this up. Amy Wrzesniewski’s work on calling orientation shows that people who see their work as a calling— who have articulated where that calling comes from— report higher life satisfaction. A purpose-focused manifesto is one of the clearest tools for doing exactly that.

Writing this kind of manifesto can feel vulnerable. You’re declaring what matters most to you. But a manifesto rooted in purpose is more durable than one based on productivity tips alone. It survives career changes, setbacks, and seasons of doubt.

Recommended length for this kind of manifesto? One to two pages. Short enough to read in a few minutes, substantial enough to hold your essential beliefs.

Now that you’ve seen four different approaches, here’s what they all have in common.

What Makes an Effective Personal Manifesto

Effective personal manifestos share a few key traits— they use action-oriented language, they’re concise enough for regular review, and they function as decision-making tools, not just inspiration.

Here’s what people get wrong. They try to make their manifesto sound impressive instead of honest. They reach for profound when they should reach for true.

Across every example we’ve looked at, the patterns are clear:

• Action language — “I will” or present tense, not “I hope” or “I wish”
• Specific definitions — Franklin defined every virtue; Henry explained every principle
• Concise format — short enough to review regularly, not a thesis
• Personal voice — it sounds like you, not a LinkedIn post
• Decision-making utility — you can actually use it when facing a choice

As MasterClass puts it, “Your manifesto should be a brief, snappy set of principles and calls to action rather than an unabridged and exhaustive report.”

And the format itself? Entirely flexible. Bullets (Franklin). Prose (Holstee). Principles with explanations (Henry). Declarations (purpose-focused). There’s no single correct structure.

Manifesto vs. Mission Statement

This is a common confusion, so let’s clear it up.

As Geoff McDonald explains— “Mission statements align everyone inside the brand while manifestos tell the world about it.”

One more thing. Physical handwriting can help embed your manifesto more deeply than typing. According to Art of Manliness, the act of writing by hand strengthens your connection to the commitments you’re making.

An honest, imperfect manifesto beats a polished one that doesn’t reflect who you actually are.

Knowing what makes a good manifesto is one thing. Actually using it is another.

How to Use Your Personal Manifesto

The most effective way to use a personal manifesto is to review it regularly— ideally daily— and reference it when making decisions that involve competing priorities or values.

A manifesto you don’t revisit is just a journal entry. The value isn’t in writing it. It’s in living by it.

Here’s how to make yours useful:

• Review it daily — read it each morning, or post it somewhere you’ll see it. Franklin reviewed his virtues every single day.
• Use it as a decision filter — when you’re offered a promotion that pays more but pulls you away from the work you love, your manifesto gives you an answer. Or at least a framework for finding one.
• Share it (or don’t) — both public declaration and private compass are valid. The Holstee founders posted theirs on a website. Franklin kept his in a notebook.
• Update as you evolve — manifestos aren’t carved in stone. Review and revise annually, or after major life changes. Your manifesto should grow with you.
• Connect it to your values — research by Martin Seligman shows that acting in alignment with stated values increases happiness and fulfillment. A manifesto makes those values visible and reviewable.

And here’s something people overlook— a manifesto can prevent burnout. When you’re clear about what matters, you’re better equipped to set boundaries around what doesn’t. That clarity is worth more than most productivity hacks.

According to Daring to Live Fully, the practice of regular review is what separates a manifesto from a wish list. The writing is the beginning. The reviewing is what makes it real.

FAQ: Personal Manifesto Questions

How long should a personal manifesto be?

One to two pages is the sweet spot— short enough to review in a few minutes but substantial enough to capture your essential beliefs. Some manifestos are as short as a single principle. Others run longer. The key test is whether you can (and will) review it regularly.

What’s the difference between a personal manifesto and a mission statement?

A manifesto is personal, visionary, and emotionally charged— it declares what you believe. A mission statement is organizational and functional— it describes what you do. Manifestos go deeper than mission statements.

Should a personal manifesto be public or private?

Both are valid. Some people use manifestos as private decision-making tools (like Franklin). Others share them publicly as declarations of what they stand for (like Holstee). Your choice depends on your purpose for creating one.

How often should I update my personal manifesto?

Review and potentially revise at least annually, or after major life changes— a career shift, a personal transition, a moment where your values have evolved. Your manifesto should grow with you.

Can a manifesto help with career transitions?

Yes. A manifesto clarifies your values and priorities, giving you decision criteria during uncertain transitions. Research on calling orientation shows people with a clear sense of calling report higher life satisfaction— and a manifesto is one of the best tools for articulating that clarity.

Your Turn

You’ve seen what personal manifestos look like— now it’s your turn to create one.

You don’t need a perfect manifesto. You need an honest one.

Start simple. Even three to five principles is enough. Use the examples above as models, not scripts. Franklin used a virtue list. Holstee used emotional prose. Henry used practical principles. Pick whatever format feels most like you.

And if you want a step-by-step process for writing yours, check out how to write your manifesto. It walks through the whole thing— from identifying your core beliefs to putting them on paper.

A manifesto is one of the best tools for clarifying what matters to you. You don’t need permission to write one. Just start.

I believe in you.