Break the Rules That Hold You Back: Lessons from The Code of the Extraordinary Mind

When most people think about success, they imagine following a straight path: study hard, get a good job, buy a house, and one day retire comfortably. But what if this “path” was never designed for your happiness — only for conformity? In The Code of the Extraordinary Mind, Vishen Lakhiani introduces a powerful idea: many of the beliefs we follow are not really ours. They are “brules” (bullsh*t rules) handed down by society, culture, or even family. And unless we challenge them, we risk living someone else’s life.

GROW RICH

Vieira, L

5/8/20242 min read

What Are Brules and Why Do They Matter?

A brule might sound like common sense at first:

“You must work 9–5 to be successful.”
“Money is the root of all evil.”
“Follow the rules, and life will reward you.”

But when you pause, you realize these beliefs don’t necessarily serve you. They might keep you stuck in a job you hate, afraid of starting your own business, or guilty about wanting financial freedom.

By questioning these brules, you create space for new beliefs that align with your vision of life.

Redefining Success on Your Terms

Lakhiani suggests that extraordinary people don’t just accept society’s definition of success. Instead, they ask:

What truly matters to me?
What kind of life do I want to design?
How can money, work, and relationships serve my growth — not limit it?

For example, instead of chasing promotions for status, you might choose to build income streams that give you freedom of time. Instead of believing wealth is selfish, you might see it as a tool to create impact and generosity.

The Power of Conscious Living

When you free yourself from brules, you step into what Lakhiani calls conscious engineering — designing your inner world (beliefs, habits, emotions) and outer world (career, wealth, health) with intention.

It’s not about living without discipline. It’s about living with the right kind of discipline — the one that pushes you toward your vision, not away from it.

A Practical Takeaway for Your Money Mindset

If you want to grow rich — financially and spiritually — start by rewriting your inner code:

Identify one belief about money or success that holds you back.
Ask yourself: Did I choose this belief, or did I inherit it?
Replace it with a belief that serves your goals.

Example:

Old brule: “I need to work harder than everyone else to deserve success.”
New belief: “I can create smart systems and partnerships that multiply my results without burning out.”

Final Thoughts

The extraordinary life doesn’t come from following society’s script — it comes from writing your own. By questioning brules and consciously designing your reality, you don’t just aim for success. You aim for freedom, purpose, and a truly rich life.