Achievement

The high-achieving, goal-oriented Mill literally drove himself crazy. He wondered what would happen if he achieved all his goals, and he feared the lack of challenge that would come with it. He began to heal by realizing that happiness was an emotion, not just an objective list of accomplishments that had been checked off. By taking long walks, spending meaningful time with friends, and developing some hobbies, Mill began to deepen his understanding of happiness and to pull himself out of his dark mental state.

These are the thinkers who recognize that it is not their ability to be handsome, to be glib, to be ... charming and poised which makes them important. That which makes them important is what they take to heart ... These same thinkers recognize that success in the accumulation of wealth does not relate to one's ability to grab; but in one's ability to attract the patronage he desires because of the merit of his offering. Deserved success is awarded like a prize. The fact that it is deserved is more important than the level of attainment, for such success arrives within the boundaries of freedom.

The individual's desire for private property, his drive to better himself, to specialize, to accumulate profits and income, are reviled by all branches of communism ... At the root of all forms of communism, compulsory or voluntary, lies a profound hatred of individual excellence, a denial of the natural or intellectual superiority of some men over others, and a desire to tear down every individual to the level of a communal ant-heap ... Furthermore, anarcho-communism scorns reason, and its corollaries long-range purpose, forethought, hard work, and individual achievement; instead, it exalts irrational feelings, whim, and caprice ...

Tocqueville captured in a single sentence the possibilities of an open, achievement-oriented society when he wrote, 'In America most rich men began by being poor.' ... It is individualism and achievement that make America unique and great.

[Rand] observed that the civil rights movement was beginning to switch from the pursuit of justice for individuals to the pursuit of privilege for racial groups ... The precedent set by black leaders was soon adopted by other groups ... In "The Age of Envy" (1971), Ayn Rand described how egalitarians were creating an "aristocracy of non-value" in which groups claim privileges for disability, poverty, misfortune, incompetence—i.e., for a lack, rather than for achievement. It is the morality of altruism, she argued, that allows such groups to demand special treatment at the expense of achievers.

Progress toward better living would never have been possible, except through the development of tools to extend the uses of human energy-tools that harness the forces of nature as a substitute for muscular effort. ... The introduction of tools marked the beginning of man's progress in three important directions: (1) More effective use of energy; (2) Specialization of effort; and (3) Advances in human co-operation and improvements in living conditions, through the peaceful exchange of goods and services.

The civilizations of China, Japan, India, and the Mohammedan countries ... brought about marvelous achievements in the industrial arts, in architecture ... and in the development of educational institutions ... But then their effort was arrested ... and they lost the ability to cope successfully with economic problems ... Western society was a community of individuals who could compete for the highest prizes ... The alert youth of the West looks upon the world as a field of action in which he can win fame, eminence, honors, and wealth; nothing appears too difficult for his ambition.

I've just lately been writing in the [IOS] Journal about the kinds of fundamental values people choose. I'm in the middle of an argument about what it means to say that productive achievement is a central value in a person's life. I think achievement has to be understood much more widely than just a job or a career. I think Ayn Rand meant it in that wider sense. But then what exactly do we mean by achievement as the creation of value? How can we define more specific standards?

Success in life is a matter of concentration and service. Step by step, little by little, bit by bit—that is the way to success. Unbeknownst to himself, Leonard was about to enter a phase of his life that would take him to the very summit of accomplishment. He would succeed above his fellows because he would continue to grow in strength, knowledge, and wisdom. He would seek more light, and find more the more he sought. Leonard Read was to become one of those rare individuals who take and give every moment of time.

E' difficile misurare l'impatto sistemico della svalutazione del merito all'interno della società, ma ho avuto modo di vederne i risultati a livello individuale. Un mio amico è stato scavalcato per una promozione che meritava all'università perché nello staff serviva una donna. Adesso lui dice a suo figlio che il merito non conta e che impegnarsi ad eccellere è inutile. Provate a moltiplicare questa situazione per centinaia ... di persone. Il rifiuto di riconoscere il merito ... abbassa la qualità complessiva della società perché non si permette alle persone innovative ed abili di produrre al massimo delle loro capacità.

Added best-selling thriller writer Tom Clancy: "What makes Mr. Heinlein part of the American literary tradition is that his characters do prevail. His work reflects the fundamental American optimism that still surprises our friends around the world. As Mr. Heinlein taught us, the individual can and will succeed. The first step in the individual's success is the perception that success is possible. It is often the writer's task to let people know what is possible and what is not, for as writing is a product of imagination, so is all human progress."

Little if any thought is given to the one thing that we can effectively accomplish, namely, how to improve ourselves and our own thinking as individuals ... One understanding man summed it up this way: "... I've got enough to do just trying to improve myself as an individual citizen. If I work hard enough and long enough at that one job, then the time may come when two or three, or four or five, or maybe even eight or ten persons may voluntarily seek my counsel. Then and only then can it be truly said that I have earned a worth-while influence."

He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart will one day realize it ... To desire is to obtain; to aspire is to achieve ... The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream ... Your circumstances may be uncongenial but they shall not long remain so if you but perceive an Ideal and strive to reach it.

Who is your greatest inspiration?
... I guess I'm an inspirational slut, since I am also inspired by pretty much anything I find admirable: Terry Fox's run across Canada, Bill Gates' entrepreneurship, Stephan Hawking's triumph over his physical ail-ments, Hussain Bolt's world record in the 100 meter dash, Michael Phelps' swimming in record time at the Olympics, Lew Rockwell's creation of the Mises Institute, Earl Boykins' basketball playing in the land of the giants, Ron Paul's cocking a snook at the powers that be, Mises' escape from the Nazis, a beautiful sunset, the beauty of nature, etc. Of course, I don't mean to equate these ...