Timeless Happiness Tips: Ayn Rand

I am going to be running a series of Timeless Happiness Tips which come from famous, cool (dead) people…beginning with the very interesting Ayn Rand.

First of all, you pronounce her name “Ayn” so it rhymes with “mine” – which I find very apropros, because Ayn’s famed life philosophy of OBJECTIVISM is all about going for the “mine, mine, mine” – living your individualistic destiny to its fullest potential.

“I swear, by my life and my love of it,” said Ayn, “I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine. “

Ayn described this philosophy of hers as “rational individualism.”

In her famous novels THE FOUNTAINHEAD and ATLAS SHRUGGED, Ayn dramatized this “rational individualist” -- this “ideal man” – this “heroic being” -- as someone who lived by his own effort – never giving away or receiving anything undeserved -- who honored self-achievement -- and rejected envy of others.

As a self help author I've read many modern day research studies which support Ayn's philosophies. The happiest people are those who tap into their "signature strengths" daily and who don't step foot on that "hedonic treadmill" wanting more just because their neighbors have more.

I remember reading both THE FOUNTAINHEAD and ATLAS SHURGGED back in college – and thereafter torturing every college boyfriend by forcing them to read both these two books.

Lively conversation about the difference between Ayn's highly approved view of “rational individualism” and her less condoned view of “outright selfishness” always followed.

Further followed by frisky talk about Ayn’s sexy sex scenes.

Further followed by no talk …because, well, Ayn sure knew how to write a steamy sexy scene.

But I digress…

Back to Ayn’s views…

Ayn believed that OBJECTIVISM was the secret to happiness – and that there was no greater moral goal than achieving happiness.

With this in mind, Ayn proclaimed that true happiness could never be achieved by mere wish or whim -- but only by a feisty one-pointedness -- pursuing your personal, individualistic passions!

As a self help book author I agree -- and am often coaching clients that "The purpose of your life is to find and do the purpose of your life."

And find and do your purpose you MUST!

To quote Ayn, “The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me. “

I love this philosophy. Basically it's saying you gotta go out there and create your own good luck.

Indeed, when I coach clients I'm always telling them that a big secret to happiness and success is turning what you want in life into a PASSIONATE MUST -- instead of letting it simmer as a mere SHOULD.

The “heroic beings” who follow Ayn’s OBJECTIVISM -- in both her novels and in real life -- are achievers who build businesses, invent technologies, and create art and ideas, based on their individualistic talents and in synergy with other fellow “heroic beings.”

Basically, Ayn’s philosophy of OBJECTIVISM is very optimistic.

OBJECTIVISM purports that the universe is built to allow each of us to live a rich, fulfilling life – if we CHOOSE to take our life by the balls.

According to Ayn, “Every man builds his world in his own image. He has the power to choose, but no power to escape the necessity of choice. “

Ayn is also a big believer in NOT feeling guilty about having it all -- if you can snag it all.

MY BELIEF: Sadly, too many people feel guilty if they start to amass too much success and joy – and even self-sabotage.

For example, as I wrote in HOW TO BE HAPPY DAMMIT – if you want to make lots of money, you need to feel good about what it means to be rich – get in harmony with making gobs of money. Once you’re in harmony with wealth, you will see money opportunities everywhere – even in the word “harmony” – which might even start to appear to you as if it's spelled “harmoney”!

When it comes to monetary success and materialism, Ayn said….

“Run for your life from any man who tells you that money is evil. That sentence is the leper's bell of an approaching looter. “

Granted, although I agree with a lot of what Ayn had to say about importance of making a hearty profit from your skillsets – there's a lot of what she said which I do not agree with. For example…

“If any civilization is to survive,” said Ayn, “it is the morality of altruism that men have to reject. “

Ayn writes a lot about the negatives of altruism vs. the benefits of materialism in her famed book of essays “The Virtues Of Selfishness” -- a book I found both fascinating and downright offensive – as I am huge believer that it is important to give back to our world through charity and service – and indeed, I believe that doing acts of altruism is one of the biggest routes to extreme joy. When you do good, you instantly feel good.

But I know even if Ayn and I wound up disagreeing, Ayn would be cool with hearing my thoughts nonetheless.

To quote Ayn: “When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our final arbiter; if I am right, he will learn; if I am wrong, I will; one of us will win, but both will profit. “

And it is for THIS particular version of the word “profit” – as in TO PROFIT IN ONE'S SPIRIT AND MIND FROM HEARING NEW, EXCITING IDEAS– which Ayn consistently promotes – and which I love Ayn forever for!