This newsletter is going to be different.
Whether you love him, hate him, or just enjoy the spectacle, there’s no denying that Donald Trump is one of the most fascinating figures in modern history. He’s not just a politician. He’s a brand, a movement, a force of nature.
And if you strip away the noise—the politics, the scandals, the larger-than-life persona—you’re left with something undeniably interesting: a personal growth strategy that has propelled him from real estate mogul to reality TV star to President of the United States… and back to the political arena again.
Now, before you throw your phone across the room or start composing an angry tweet, let me be clear: this is NOT an endorsement or a takedown. This is an exploration. A deep dive into the four rules that have shaped Trump’s worldview and, in turn, his success.
So let’s step back from politics for a moment.
What if, instead of judging, we simply observed? What if we looked at Trump—not as a politician—but as a case study in personal growth, influence, and the psychology of success?
What if we examined his mindset?
Because here’s the truth: The man has defied every expectation, broken every rule of conventional leadership, and still remains one of the most influential figures on the planet. He has lost and won, been written off and resurrected, faced scandals and indictments—and yet, his grip on his followers is unshakable.
So, what’s his secret?
What guiding principles have shaped him into the force he is today?
And perhaps most importantly—is there anything we can learn from them?
Visiting Mar-a-Lago & the movie The Apprentice
I got a firsthand glimpse into Trump’s world when I was invited to Mar-a-Lago a few months ago. I also have friends who have worked with him, been in meetings with him, and even done business deals with him. The insights they’ve shared with me paint a fascinating picture.
But what really sparked this letter was watching the film The Apprentice. The movie explores Trump’s relationship with the infamous American lawyer Roy Cohn, a man who once defended the mafia and was an ally of Senator Joseph McCarthy during the communist Red Scare in America.
The acting in the film was phenomenal— and the actors Sebastian Stan as Trump, Jeremy Strong as Cohn delivered Oscar-worthy performances.
But what struck me the most about the movie wasn’t just the acting—it was how it depicted Trump’s evolution. It showed his transformation from an eager, sweet, and somewhat naïve young man into the relentless, larger-than-life force he eventually became.
At the heart of it all were three laws that Roy Cohn imparted to Trump. These three rules—plus a fourth one that I picked up from reading The Art of the Deal years ago—form the foundation of Trump’s personal growth philosophy.
Are you ready? Buckle up.
Who was Roy Cohn?
To understand Trump’s personal growth philosophy, you need to understand Roy Cohn. If Trump is the ultimate showman-turned-politician, Cohn was the mastermind behind the curtain.
Cohn first rose to prominence as Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel during the infamous Red Scare, where he helped orchestrate the anti-communist witch hunts of the 1950s. He was ruthless, unapologetic, and had a simple rule—never admit defeat, never apologize, and always attack.
When McCarthy fell from grace, Cohn reinvented himself as a power broker in New York, working as a mob lawyer and rubbing shoulders with the rich and powerful. It was during this time that he became Donald Trump’s mentor.
Cohn taught Trump how to weaponize the legal system, how to manipulate the press, and—most importantly—how to create an untouchable personal brand. He wasn’t just Trump’s lawyer; he was his strategist, consigliere, and attack dog all rolled into one.
Cohn had three ironclad rules. Rules that Trump absorbed like a sponge.
- Attack, attack, attack
- Admit nothing, deny everything
- Always claim victory
And then, years later, Trump added his own fourth rule—one that would become his ultimate superpower.
- Relentless optimism
These four rules became the foundation of Trump’s personal philosophy. And whether you agree with them or not, you can’t deny their impact.
Ironically, Cohn’s own downfall mirrored the tactics he taught Trump. In 1986, he was disbarred for unethical conduct—fraud, perjury, and unethical business practices. His response? Complete denial. Even as his career crumbled, he insisted he was the victim of a political conspiracy.
Trump absorbed all of this. And even after Cohn’s death from AIDS in 1986, his influence lived on in Trump’s philosophy of power and survival.
In the movie The Apprentice, it’s suggested that Cohn mentored Trump and asked him to follow the following 3 Rules of Life.
Rule #1: Attack, attack, attack
In The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote:
“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
In other words: Never play defense. Always strike first.
This was Roy Cohn’s number one rule, and Trump didn’t just adopt it—he made it his core philosophy.
If you observe Trump’s career, you’ll see one pattern repeating over and over again: He never waits for an attack. He preempts it. He overwhelms. He escalates. He turns every battle into a scorched-earth war.
I had a fascinating conversation about this with Richard Branson on Necker Island in September 2024. Branson—who has been quite vocal about his distaste for Trump—shared something revealing.
During the 2016 elections, both Trump and Hillary Clinton invited him to separate meetings.
When he sat down with Hillary, she spoke about governance, strategy, innovation, and policy.
When he met with Trump? The entire conversation was about revenge.
Trump listed people who had wronged him, one by one, and described exactly how he planned to destroy them.
Branson walked out of that meeting shaken.
He had never met someone so singularly obsessed with retaliation.
But here’s the thing: It worked.
Trump’s relentless attacks obliterated his political rivals. In 2016, one by one, every Republican candidate who stood in his way was demolished.
This isn’t just politics. This is branding warfare.
Robert Greene, in The 48 Laws of Power, puts it this way:
“Crush your enemy totally.”
Trump doesn’t just defeat opponents. He erases them from relevance.
But what about those who stand with him?
That’s a different story.
At Mar-a-Lago, I saw this firsthand.
I had been invited to a private dinner for an incoming governor in March 2024. The attendees were some of the most politically influential people in America. And while I didn’t necessarily share their political views, I found them to be polite, warm, and genuinely kind individuals.
But the conversations? Fascinating.
One person confidently told me that 350,000 Chinese operatives had crossed the U.S. border and were waiting for China’s signal to attack America.
Another person claimed that two million terrorists were currently hiding within the United States.
Someone else insisted that Biden wasn’t actually running the country—that Barack Obama was secretly in charge, funded by George Soros.
Now, let’s be clear—I don’t think these beliefs hold up under objective scrutiny.
But what struck me was this: These weren’t angry, aggressive conspiracy theorists. They were polite, rational, and open to discussion.
When I questioned some of their claims, they listened. No tension. No fights. Just discussion.
And then, Trump walked in.
The energy in the room shifted instantly.
I have only seen a handful of people who radiate this level of charisma in person. The Dalai Lama is one of them.
As he greeted the crowd, he pointed at us and said:
“I love you!”
The room exploded.
“We love you, Mr. President!”
“We’re with you till the end!”
It was a level of loyalty that is extremely rare for any leader.
Regardless of what you think of him, Trump’s magnetism is undeniable.
But here’s the paradox: If you oppose him, he will try to destroy you.
And in American politics, that Machiavellian strategy has proven to be highly effective.
Rule #2: Admit nothing, deny everything
If Rule #1 is about overwhelming your enemies with force, Rule #2 is about something even more powerful: controlling reality itself.
This is Roy Cohn’s second golden rule, and Trump has turned it into an art form.
The rule is simple: Never admit fault. Never concede. Deny everything. No matter what.
This isn’t just about avoiding accountability. This is about bending reality to your will.
And Trump has done this over and over again, with astonishing effectiveness.
Let’s look at some of the most infamous examples.
Case study: The lawsuit that “never happened”
One of Trump’s earliest legal battles came in the 1970s when the U.S. Department of Justice sued Trump’s father’s company for racial discrimination in housing.
Trump’s response?
They didn’t just deny the charges—they counter-sued the U.S. government.
Eventually, the Trumps settled. But how did Trump spin it?
“We didn’t lose. We won.”
Factually, this was untrue. But in Trump’s world, it became true.
And this pattern would repeat throughout his entire career.
The 2020 election: The ultimate reality distortion field
Nowhere is this rule more evident than in Trump’s handling of the 2020 election.
Every court ruling, every recount, every single legal fact pointed to the same conclusion: Trump lost.
And yet, to this day, millions of people still believe he won.
Why?
Because he never admitted defeat.
Instead, he reframed the entire election as a stolen victory. He flooded social media with claims of fraud, manipulated perception, and planted a seed that no amount of evidence could uproot.
This is the power of Rule #2.
If you simply refuse to acknowledge reality, you force the world to choose: Do they believe their own eyes? Or do they believe you?
And if you’re charismatic enough, bold enough, and unyielding enough—people will believe you.
Trump’s superpower: The ability to rewrite history in real-time
A few months ago, I spoke to a seminar organizer who used to book Trump for speaking events before he became President.
He told me something mind-blowing.
There was a seminar where 8,000 people attended.
After the event, he followed Trump back to his suite for a quick chat.
Trump picked up the phone, called Melania, and said:
“Can you believe it? 18,000 people showed up to see me!”
Now—Trump knew the real number.
The seminar organizer was sitting right next to him.
And yet, in that moment, Trump rewrote the past.
Not out of forgetfulness. Not out of a simple exaggeration.
But because, in his mind, 18,000 was now a reality.
And this is where Trump does something most people can’t comprehend:
He doesn’t just lie—he creates a new truth.
Most of us, when confronted with reality, adjust our beliefs. Trump does the opposite.
He adjusts reality to fit his beliefs.
The big leap: Trump and the absence of an “upper limit”
Now, let’s pause for a moment—because there’s a fascinating personal growth concept at play here.
Gay Hendricks, in The Big Leap, talks about something called the Upper Limit Problem.
The idea is that most people have an internal thermostat for success, happiness, and self-worth.
When we exceed that limit—whether it’s a big career win, a massive relationship breakthrough, or a financial windfall—we subconsciously sabotage ourselves to return to our comfort zone.
Trump?
He has the opposite problem.
He doesn’t see limits at all.
He expands reality to fit his version of himself.
Call it narcissism. Call it delusion.
But the reality is—it works.
Because the world believes the people who believe in themselves the most.
This brings us to…
Rule #3: Always claim victory
There’s a phrase in branding and persuasion that goes like this:
“It’s not about the truth. It’s about the truth people believe.”
And no one embodies this more than Trump.
Roy Cohn’s third golden rule was simple but incredibly effective: No matter what happens, always claim victory.
Even when you lose.
Even when the facts say otherwise.
Because here’s the secret: People don’t remember details. They remember the story. And the story that wins is the one told with the most conviction.
Trump understands this better than almost anyone alive.
He doesn’t just claim victory—he does it with so much confidence that people start questioning reality itself.
The 2020 election: The biggest “victory” that never happened
Let’s take a step back to the 2020 election.
By every possible metric—legal, statistical, factual—Trump lost.
The courts ruled against him. Recounts confirmed the results. Every piece of credible evidence pointed to the same conclusion: Joe Biden won.
But Trump never conceded.
Instead, he reframed the loss as a fraudulent victory.
He planted the idea that the election was stolen, and once that narrative took hold, no amount of evidence could shake it. And here’s what’s absolutely mind-blowing—millions still believe it.
Not because the claim was supported by facts. But because it was delivered with conviction.
This is why Trump is still the dominant force in Republican politics today. Because he never allowed himself to be seen as a loser. In the world of influence and personal branding, losing is often worse than being wrong. And Trump knows that.
The bankruptcy “wins”
The 2020 election wasn’t the first time Trump rewrote history in real-time. In the 1990s, his business empire was crumbling.
- His Atlantic City casinos were bleeding money.
- He filed for multiple bankruptcies.
- His investors lost billions.
For most business leaders, this would have been the end. But not for Trump.
He never admitted failure. Instead, he rebranded bankruptcy as a genius business move. He walked away from his casino failures richer than before—while his investors got wiped out.
But if you ask him? He’ll tell you he won. And because he never acknowledged defeat, most people never saw him as a failure.
The inauguration crowd that “grew” on its own
One of the most blatant examples of this rule happened on Trump’s first day in office.
During his inauguration, news outlets published aerial photos comparing his crowd size to Obama’s 2009 inauguration.
And the difference was clear: Obama’s crowd was far bigger.
So what did Trump do?
He simply declared that his crowd was the largest in history. Even though the photos proved otherwise.
Rather than backing down, his press secretary doubled down on the claim. Suddenly, the conversation wasn’t about policies, the economy, or the future—it was about who had the biggest crowd.
And by the time the media finished arguing about it, Trump had already moved on.
The power of reframing reality
The lesson here isn’t just about Trump.
It’s about human psychology.
- Entrepreneurs sell themselves as billionaires before they hit their first million.
- Athletes visualize their victories before stepping onto the field.
- CEOs project confidence in their startups, even when their companies are burning cash.
Because here’s the truth: Winning is often a matter of perception. And if you can control the perception, you can control reality.
When this works (and when it doesn’t)
Now, this rule is incredibly powerful—but it has two sides.
If you declare victory with conviction, you can:
- Attract investors who believe in your vision.
- Build momentum even when the odds are against you.
- Create the feeling of winning—which often leads to actual success.
But there’s a dark side: delusion.
If you keep claiming victory even when reality is crumbling, eventually, the truth catches up.
- Investors stop believing in you.
- Employees lose faith.
- Your empire collapses.
So the real question isn’t just, “Does this work?”—because it clearly does.
The real question is: How far would you take it? Because once you start bending reality, it’s easy to lose sight of the truth altogether.
And that leads us to Trump’s final rule—his true superpower.
Rule #4: Relentless optimism
Roy Cohn taught Trump how to attack and deny, but the fourth and final rule in Trump’s personal growth playbook comes from a very different source: Norman Vincent Peale, the pastor who shaped Trump’s core belief system.
Peale’s philosophy, outlined in The Power of Positive Thinking, was radical self-belief taken to the extreme. His mantra? “If you think it, it will be so.” In other words, reality bends to the will of those who believe hard enough. And Trump has lived by this principle his entire life.
The power of positive illusions
This explains why Trump’s many financial collapses never seemed to faze him. Even when his Atlantic City casinos went bankrupt, he walked into meetings projecting absolute confidence—so much so that banks kept lending him money. He convinced investors that failure wasn’t real because, in his mind, it simply wasn’t an option.
And it wasn’t just business—this mindset shaped his entire approach to politics. Take his presidential campaign in 2016. Pundits laughed at the idea of a reality TV star with no political experience winning the White House. The media dismissed his campaign as a joke. And yet, Trump acted as if victory was inevitable from day one. His supporters felt his confidence, and that belief became contagious.
Failure? What failure?
Most people, when they suffer a public failure, go into damage control. They issue apologies, explain their mistakes, and try to win back credibility.
Not Trump.
When something doesn’t go his way, he simply acts like it never happened. His businesses collapse? “That was a smart business move.” His administration fumbles a policy? “It was actually a huge success.”
And here’s the wild part—people buy it.
Psychologists call this “positive illusions”, a cognitive bias where people who maintain extreme optimism—even in the face of failure—end up influencing reality itself. When a leader truly believes they are winning, they can convince others to follow them—even if the facts say otherwise.
Trump’s ultimate psychological shield
One of the most fascinating things about Trump’s relentless optimism is how it serves as a psychological shield.
A former White House aide once described watching him walk into a meeting completely unprepared, bluff his way through, and leave convinced he had dominated the room. He had no self-doubt. No hesitation. Just pure, unshakable confidence.
And the thing is, this kind of mindset is scientifically proven to work. Studies have shown that leaders who project confidence—whether or not it’s justified—are perceived as more competent. Even when they fail, people see them as visionaries rather than frauds.
The real lesson: When optimism becomes delusion
So, does relentless optimism work? Absolutely. It keeps you moving forward. It makes failure feel like a temporary inconvenience rather than a real setback. It builds an aura of invincibility.
But there’s a fine line between optimism and delusion.
At some point, reality catches up. Investors pull out. Supporters grow skeptical. And if you’ve built your empire entirely on positive illusions, the crash can be catastrophic.
So, the real question isn’t whether Trump’s relentless optimism is effective.
The question is: How far would you take it?
Final thoughts
Would you use these rules?
Trump’s rules—Attack Relentlessly, Deny Everything, Always Claim Victory, and Stay Relentlessly Optimistic—aren’t just political tactics. They are principles of influence, branding, and personal resilience that have been used by leaders, CEOs, and power players throughout history.
These rules have built billion-dollar empires, crushed opposition, and propelled him to the highest office in the world. They are also rooted in psychological strategies used by the most powerful figures throughout history—from military generals to corporate titans to media moguls.
But they also come with a cost.
When you attack relentlessly, you create enemies who never forget. When you deny reality, reality eventually catches up. When you always claim victory, you risk delusion. And when you stay relentlessly optimistic, you walk a fine line between confidence and blind arrogance.
Yet, these strategies work—at least for a time. And perhaps that’s why Trump, even in the face of indictments, bankruptcies, and political defeats, remains as influential as ever.
And here’s the thing. If you had asked me before that evening in March 2024 at Mar-a-Lago, I would have said—without hesitation—that I was anti-Trump. Not because of his policies, not because of his party, but because I had assumed he was a vengeful, hateful man. Someone so consumed by anger and ego that being in a room with him would be suffocating.
But that wasn’t the man I met. The Trump I saw was the exact opposite—charismatic, warm, full of high energy. And honestly? He was just fun to be around. Not the monster I had expected.
And it wasn’t just him.
I had also assumed that the MAGA movement was filled with narrow-minded conspiracy theorists, racists, and hateful and delusional people who saw the world in extremes. But the people I met in that room weren’t like that at all. They were kind. They were generous. They were intelligent. They operated from a different set of facts, yes—but they were open to discussion. They listened. They debated politely. They were willing to engage.
That night, I had to confront an uncomfortable truth about myself.
A lot of the conclusions I made about Trump and his followers came from one side of the media. And that had shaped my worldview into a rigid, binary perspective—where certain politicians were good and others were evil.
But life isn’t binary. Everything lies on a spectrum.
And in that spectrum are shades of gray—nuances that get erased when we let ourselves be polarized.
That night, I left with a newfound conviction: the moment you label one side as “good” and the other as “bad,” you stop seeing reality. You stop analyzing people for who they actually are, and instead, you judge them based on the version of them you’ve been fed.
I no longer see the world that way. And I don’t think anyone else should, either. Because the best way to truly see the truth about someone isn’t to assume. It isn’t to rely on what you’re told. It’s to analyze them yourself—to look at them with an open mind, to see both their light and their shadow, and to recognize that we all exist somewhere in between.
So, the real question isn’t just whether these rules work.
The real question is: Would you use them?
If you would or wouldn’t, let me know in the comments below.
Because at the end of the day, power isn’t about being right—it’s about knowing how to play the game.
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Comment by Vishen:
I want to be clear, this newsletter is not meant to be political – America is divided on their voting choices and I won’t bring politics into Mindvalley. But I have been clear since 2016 on my stance on Trump. He is not the right man to lead America and has too many flaws of character. Even the day before the election I went on Instagram live to endorse Harris (on my insta, not Mindvalley). I still hold the view that Trump should not have won. But my job is to bring unity and not get political on Mindvalley. This article is designed to provoke thought and to show that in politics today – Machiavellian and Sun Tzu principles oftentimes trump spiritual laws. For each rule I’m not suggesting one adopt them – I’m only shining light on the belief system behind them.
520 Responses
Deutsch:
Und da ist mir noch etwas eingefallen. Ich forme die 4 Prinzipien für mich positiv um:
1. Kämpfe immer wieder neu mit versöhntem Herzen für Deine Überzeugungen. (Frere Roger von Taize forderte auf, mit versöhntem herzen zu kämpfen). Also kämpfe den guten Kampf.
2. Das Hinfallen beim Gehen lernen ist keine Niederlage, sondern es ist eine Strategie.
3. Es ist die Strategie, durch die ich den Sieg des Stehens, Gehens, Laufens und Springes erlernt habe.
4. Am Ende wird alles gut und wenn es noch nicht gut ist, ist es noch nicht das Ende.
Und garantiert wird das Ganze durch einen Gott, der allmächtig genug ist, alles gut zu machen und der die Liebe ist und deswegen alles gut machen wird.
English:
And then I thought of something else. I’m reshaping the four principles for myself in a positive way:
1. Fight for your convictions again and again with a reconciled heart. (Brother Roger of Taize called for fighting with a reconciled heart). So fight the good fight.
2. Falling while learning to walk is not a defeat, but a strategy.
3. It is the strategy through which I learned the victory of standing, walking, running, and jumping.
4. In the end, everything will be fine, and if it isn’t fine yet, it’s not the end.
And all this is guaranteed by a God who is almighty enough to make everything good and who is love and will therefore make everything good.
You just lost another subscriber.
First, a round of applause for Vishen for going boldly where most of us fear to tread! Trump makes a fascinating study, alrighty! Interesting stuff…
I believe that the world is indeed unfolding as it should, and that somehow, Trump is serving the purpose of planetary evolution.
I wonder what would happen if instead of vilifying the man (fellow human being as he is) we would all unite in the work of surrounding and permeating him with the radiant light of Supreme Consciousness? Here’s an opportunity to use “our” collective consciousness for more Peace in the world, rather than promulgating hate and fear in response to What Is.
Hi Vishen,
I am surprised that you are spending time on exploring this subject. These principles are not what I would teach my children and I am sure you wouldn’t either. They are anti-society and dangerous and not helping anyone. You are telling us that we should leave this world a better place, and this is now ingrained in my mind. Only a few days ago I sent an email to you encouraging you to organise a peace event and I have come up with an ode to the world which could be a perfect song for Mind Valley or a peace day (happy to share the lyrics) – 21st September is International day of peace – so not much time to organise it. Please don’t go down this path, keep on your original path which inspired me and millions of people – helping others and leave this world a better place.
I love this take Vishan, especially being aware of the views you have expressed. I always think the best way to see an argument is to argue for a win, from both sides. When we can see all sides, regardless of our feelings, we gain better insight and understanding. No one is ever all good, or all bad. A refreshing discussion! 💛
English
I wouldn’t be able to apply the rules because I think and feel differently in this incarnation. I see myself and others in a differentiated way and as committed to the divine. When Jesus says that he does what he sees the Father doing, that is my example, and I believe that God acts differently, lovingly and serving. Jesus showed us how to forgive and rose through death to the resurrection. Trump shows how to take revenge. Being oriented toward that kind of greatness and power in this world is not my job; at least not in this incarnation. I don’t know what role Trump plays in God’s greater plan. There should probably be a Pontius Pilate and similar types… Perhaps these souls do evil, so that others can learn and grow. I’m thinking of the story of Neal Donald Walsch and the little soul who talks to God. If she wants to learn to forgive, another soul has to incarnate with it and do something to it that it can forgive.
Deutsch
Ich würde die Regeln nicht anwenden können, weil ich in dieser Inkarnation anders denke und empfinde. Mich und andere sehe ich differenziert und dem Göttlichen verpflichtet. Wenn Jesus sagt, dass der tut, was er den Vater tun sieht, dann ist das mein Vorbild und ich meine, dass Gott anders handelt, liebevoll und dienend. Jesus hat uns gezeigt, wie man verzeiht und ist durch den Tod in die Auferstehung gegangen. Trump zeigt, wie man Rache übt. An dieser Art von Größe und Macht in dieser Welt orientiert zu sein, ist nicht mein Job; zumindest nicht in dieser Inkarnation. Welche Rolle Trump im größeren Plan Gottes spielt, weiß ich nicht. Es sollte wohl auch einen Pontius Pilatus und ähnliche Typen geben…Vielleicht tun diese Seelen Übles, damit andere lernen und wachsen können. Ich denke da an die Geschichte von Neal Donald Walsch und die kleine Seele, die mit Gott spricht. Wenn sie verzeihen lernen will, muss eine andere Seele mit ihr inkarnieren und ihr etwas antun, das sie verzeihen kann.
Vishen,
You were bold to send this article to such a polarized world.
I believe you knew that it would show that: 1) everything has consequences (including to Trump and his acts), 2) also pros and cons.
(And how difficult it is nowadays to read something dettached of our own beliefs, open to really understand the meaning of it.)
My exercise while reading your words was to be as neutral as possible, try to understand what you aimed when writing it, but – mostly – what I could learn and/or reflect from/on it. All of it, 100% outside my comfort zone!
Trump is someone I can’t tolerate, for me he has signs of narcissism and psychopathy.
Actually, one of their behaviors is to appear friendly and well-adjusted when they want to achieve a goal – this is why I was not surprised that you didn’t find him “the monster” you expected him to be. He was there on a mission, he had specific things to accomplish. He had to have his persona acting accordingly to achieve the planned results.
And your personal example was great to show how excellent people like him are to influence others’ opinions and perceptions. What made me wonder: am I able “to read” well enough the ones that surround me and have a saying or participation in my life? Am I really aware of my viewpoints and decisions? Or can I be just going through things in automatic mode and following ideas that are not really mine?
About the rules:
1) Attack, attack, attack
2) Admit nothing, deny everything
3) Always claim victory
4) Relentless optimism
Honestly, I wouldn’t use them consciously, because they don’t fit my principles and values.
I believe there must be other ways to get where I want in life: a place where my growth is positive to others and vice-versa.
But I still asked myself: how many times have I used at least one of them in my life (giving the right proportion to who I am, what I do in life and how I could apply it) without even noticing it? Am I doing the best I can to myself and to people most of my time? Am I only consuming knowledge or am I being the development content I learn?
I want to guarantee a light mind and heart every night before sleeping, and this includes:
1) attacking my limits without hurting anyone;
2) admit nothing beyond what is essential and necessary, deny anything that could harm someone for no reason;
3) always claim victory – considering that it is either a gift or a learning;
4) Relentless (as inexorable) optimism (just keep swimming, and if necessary, recalculate the route).
I still believe that Mindvalley has a CEO that reasonates with its core values.
Greetings from Brazil 🙂
Absolutely NO!!
BYE. Not political? Calling the current dictator in office someone to LEARN FROM? Disgusting.
No, I would not follow these rules because if you do, you are a dishonest human being. Your actions would not be in alignment with your soul and the souls of your fellow human beings. This means unhappiness would be at the center of your life. What does success mean without happiness and peace of mind?
Dear Vishen, I took the time to read all the way through as I thought maybe there was some learnings to this, no matter my political views. However, it only painted your thoughts & beliefs to be so far away from my values, opinions and education that I can see no way back to putting my trust into you or MindValley. You were invited into an event that seems to have fed you exactly what they wanted – to feed your ego. You may have gone in with curiosity but the ‘actors’ of the night sold you their deceit and lies and you fell for it. Today you have diminished the good of not only yourself but Mindvalley and all the wonderful people who work and/or supported you. It’s not all lost, up until this point Mindvalley has helped many, many people to become better human beings for themselves and others around them, but we will still find those who will support our health and wellbeing elsewhere – there are other wonderful leaders around us. No matter how much you prescribe to this article being non biased it certainly comes across that you condone the behaviours of Trump and his supporters. He is a liar, biggot, racist, fraud and a deceiver amongst a few words I can describe and its not because the media have been stating untruths – as you said these are facts. And the many of people who have been devasted from his actions if not have already seen the truth, they will eventually. I imagine your supporters may well now suggest that those of us unsubscribing is for the good as we don’t understand you but the thing is I do not like what you stand for now. And, it is personal, I cannot subscribe to what Trump and his counterparts are doing not matter how ‘nice and fun’ he comes across to you and to suggest these 4 rules have any validity in being a successful human being is misguided. Has your own growth and need for creating 1000’s of subscribers surpassed your original intent? As a woman, mother, provider, leader in my home and community I have a voice and a vote – you asked us to bring a chair to your table and today I did and I’m now removing it to place it at a table that is lead with grace, empathy and true curiosity.
Well said. I will be sitting st your table too.
I’m too nice to attack. I’m too honest to not acknowledge failure. But I am very optimistic! That I will accept and I want to be that way even more, but not delusional. : )
By all accounts, Hitler was great company. Goebbels was certainly a very intelligent man and must have been a great conversationalist. Impressive people, really. Fascinating. You would have been SO seduced by them.
This post broke my heart. “Attack, attack, attack” – that’s the opposite of humanity and growth. I don’t know why you felt the need to try to mellow people towards a mass murderer (whose actions have already caused the death of hundreds of thousands, and will unfortunately cause the death of further millions, as a result of the things he put in motion in the last few weeks) but I think this was easily the worst decision you’ve ever made. I’m really so sorry for whatever it was that made you think you had to do it. Was it hubris? Was it fear? Were you caught up in delusion?
I will always be grateful for the ideas and authors you introduced me to, but I don’t think I will be able to support you any longer.
I’m a bit perplexed by your essay. Your conclusion “ Because at the end of the day, power isn’t about being right—it’s about knowing how to play the game” leaves me with the impression that you feel that “playing the game” even if vengeful attacks, disregard of anyone’s wellbeing, pure meanness and outright denial of the truth are the tactics that justify the actions. One of the commentators referred to your “unbiased and unemotional” approach, however, our emotions can be a guide to how we navigate our lives & show caring to one another. Only by cooperation can we survive. I have previously been interested in your approach but no longer.
Wow… such outrage and indignant self righteousness from a population that purports to focus on self growth and spiritually. That is truly sad and disheartening. I am an independent and have never witnessed such polarization and extremes when it comes to views about Trump. I am also a psychologist in private practice and have seen firsthand how closed minded, judgmental and committed people are when it comes to their beliefs about Trump, especially when they see him as the enemy. I truly believe that our diagnostic statistical manual for psychiatric disorders needs to make way for a new category termed “trump derangement syndrome.” With that being said, I also believe that our media is culpable when it comes to stirring the pot and creating such a political divide. Why take everything you hear about Trump at face value? Especially when there’s such a divide? Where’s the curiosity in why someone would think so differently from another? I believe that it comes down to what news organization a person is viewing and committed to. Anyone that has such judgmental and closed minded opinions as stated here would probably benefit from breaking up with their mainstream media choice. Instead, it may behoove you to find a news source that is more fact based versus feelings based that isn’t aligned with either party and has nothing to gain by providing you with impartial information for you to draw your own conclusions from. This, of course, is advice that is free of charge!
As for the original question of whether or not I would utilize these 4 rules I would say that using most things to an extreme is not particularly healthy and especially if it negatively impacts other people. I believe it’s important to go through life considering how your actions impact another’s. Is it kind? Is it necessary?
In closing, I just want to say that even though you are getting a lot of backlash from your article I think it’s perfectly normal to explore and examine a true phenomenon that is happening versus shutting it down. This is an opportunity for growth. To ultimately challenge fixed beliefs that are negative on both sides. The fact that the population that you serve is being so negative and hateful toward you, is really interesting huh? I’m sure it is giving you lots of information to think about.
Best to you! Take care.
Hey brother, it sounds like you drank the kool-aid. Was it orange, haha. It may be time to critically evaluate your beliefs and experiences at mar a lago. I want to understand your perspective and be a safe place for you to share. The power of goodness compassion and empathy is what it can be.
So glad I got to read some of these comments. Yes. I agree we need to listen and be able to discuss things with differing views. Sometimes we
can and sometimes the communication shuts down.
I agree with the majority of people replying. I feel disappointed.
When it was stated in the Art of War, Sun Tsu wrote: Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
You stated, “In other words: Never play defense. Always attack first.”
I wonder if you might have taken something and bent it to fit your point.
Bending reality to fit one’s will at the expense of others isn’t what was meant. It’s about playing with the quantum field and creating hopefully changes within ourselves to be kinder people and see that there are infinite possibilities we can envision. It’s not to coerce to get one’s way at the expense of others. It’s like bending people to squeeze out what you want. Maybe if he learned to truly bend reality and not people he would be shocked at how the universe works, that it doesn’t need to be controlled nor can it be. The illusion of controlling anyone is called narcissism.
I grew up having skin of color. I tried my whole life to fit in…in other words try to be the color of the majority. Haha. It never happens. And just builds unworthiness and striving. When I got into spiritual studies and had a mystical experience in Hawaii I realized I am not my body!
It’s not about just having wealth to fit in, Vishen, and feel accepted. It’s when you do it for yourself. ♥️
I have felt grifted by Mindvalley since I first purchased the app. This seals the deal. I’m deleting the app and unsubscribing. The whole thing, including this nauseating “assessment” of Combover’s “strategy” which reads like a total personal endorsement, despite the proclamations to the contrary, reads like a promotion for some spammy multi level marketing scheme or some get rich quick tutorial.
If this post showed up in an ethics class, I should hope it would be summarily dismissed for the self serving dogma that it is. And NO. I would never consider using such a dirty playbook.
I like the analysis, Vishen!
Finally, someone is bold enough to write an article analyzing Trump’s personality and strategies. For many years, since Trump became the U.S. President and now that he has been re-elected, it has been very upsetting indeed. However, on the positive side, I created a motto inspired by him to remind myself to persevere: If someone as horrible as Trump can become President, then everyone else can achieve their dreams! Nothing is impossible, really.
To answer your question, Vishen—yes, it’s good to know that the rules (bending reality, the law of attraction, etc.) work for everyone and that the Universe is not biased in that sense. But no, I would never use them with bad intentions!
You taught us a powerful meditation, remember? The merging technique—it is meant only for good intentions; you said so yourself! So, any rules or techniques should only be used for good causes!
From your fellow Malaysian fan.
Dear Mindvalley,
I’ve been a longtime supporter and admirer of the work you’ve done to elevate human potential and consciousness. That’s why I was deeply surprised — and honestly disheartened — to receive your recent email titled “The Personal Growth Playbook of Donald Trump.”
While I understand the intention may have been to examine leadership traits or mindset strategies through a neutral lens, this piece crossed a line for me.
Framing Trump’s tactics — “Attack Relentlessly,” “Deny Everything,” “Always Claim Victory,” and “Relentless Optimism” — as a personal growth strategy feels not only tone-deaf, but misaligned with the values of integrity, emotional intelligence, compassion, and service that so many in your community stand for.
There’s a difference between studying influence and glamorizing manipulation. Between learning from adversity and promoting toxic behaviors as success strategies.
Leadership isn’t about erasing truth, attacking others, or distorting reality for personal gain. And personal growth isn’t about adopting Machiavellian tactics to “win” at any cost — it’s about becoming more conscious, self-aware, kind, and impactful in ways that elevate everyone, not just the self.
I share this feedback not from a place of outrage, but from deep care. Care for the integrity of this community and for the people who look to Mindvalley as a source of wisdom, not confusion.
I hope future content reflects the deeper values we all aspire to embody — and doesn’t blur the line between personal development and power games.
With respect,
Eric Markowitz
Business Coach | Innovation Consultant | Advocate for Conscious Leadership