Vishen Lakhiani on Breaking All the “Brules” | Impact Theory

Breaking the Brules: Vishen Lakhiani on Living an Extraordinary Life

In this engaging episode of Impact Theory, Vishen Lakhiani, founder of Mindvalley and author of "The Code of the Extraordinary Mind," discusses how to break free from societal rules—what he calls "brules" (bullshit rules)—to live a truly fulfilling life. Lakhiani shares his journey from a conventional path to founding a global education platform, emphasizing the importance of questioning everything and defining success on one’s own terms.

Core Concepts and Philosophies

Culture Scape: Lakhiani introduces the concept of the "culture scape," the web of beliefs and societal norms that shape our perceptions and decisions. He stresses the need to identify and challenge these inherited beliefs to achieve personal freedom and success.

Brules: "Brules" are arbitrary rules imposed by society that often limit our potential. Lakhiani advocates for questioning these rules and replacing them with empowering beliefs that align with our true desires and goals.

Practical Strategies and Advice

• Questioning Everything: Develop a habit of questioning societal norms, especially those that do not resonate with your personal values and aspirations.
• Three Most Important Questions: Use Lakhiani’s method to reframe goal-setting by asking:
  1. What experiences do I want to have?
  2. How do I want to grow?
  3. How can I contribute to the world?
• Healthy Skepticism: Practice healthy skepticism rather than blind adherence to societal expectations, and cultivate self-awareness to recognize and challenge limiting beliefs.

Supporting Evidence

Lakhiani draws from his personal experience of rejecting a traditional career path in computer engineering to follow his passion for education and personal development. He highlights the success of Mindvalley and its impact on millions of students worldwide as evidence of the power of living authentically and challenging societal norms.

Personal Application

Lakhiani shares his personal story of leaving a stable job at Microsoft to pursue his passion. He emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and continuous learning, illustrating how he applies the three most important questions in his own life to stay aligned with his values and goals.

Recommendations for Tools and Techniques

• Mindvalley Courses: Explore courses on Mindvalley for personal growth and development, focusing on areas such as mindfulness, productivity, and emotional intelligence.
• Reflective Journaling: Regularly engage in reflective journaling to assess your beliefs and goals, and to track your progress in breaking free from societal brules.
• Mentorship and Community: Seek out mentors and join communities that encourage questioning the status quo and support personal growth and transformation.